New Asthma Management Tool Available to Pharmacists

To help people pharmacists educate people to achieve better asthma control, NPS MedicineWise has launched new Asthma Management tool.
NPS MedicineWise clinical adviser Dr Andrew Boyden says that studies have shown that up to 90% of people with asthma have incorrect inhaler technique.
“Incorrect inhaler technique is associated with increased and ineffective medicine use which contributes to poor asthma control,” says Dr Boyden. “Pharmacists play a key role in helping people get good control over their asthma, and the new Pharmacy Practice Review will provide up-to-date information based on the latest evidence and clinical guidelines.”
A recent survey by NPS MedicineWise showed over half of all respondents with asthma said they had experienced symptoms in the past four weeks, including wheezing, breathlessness and night waking.
The latest NPS MedicineWise Pharmacy Practice Review, Asthma management: elements for good control, will help pharmacists to identify possible triggers that may affect asthma control, ensure people have correct inhaler technique and identify and explore strategies to improve asthma management. Asthma management: elements for good control review is based on the new Australian Asthma Handbook 2014.
Participants in the Pharmacy Practice Review will be able to:
? Outline the symptoms of poor asthma control
? Identify and explore strategies to overcome poor adherence
? List possible triggers that may affect asthma control
? Assess and demonstrate correct inhaler technique
? Explain the importance of an up-to-date written asthma action plan.
Pharmacists who complete the Pharmacy Practice Review can earn 8 hours of Group 2 CPD (16 CPD credits) and will have access to up-to-date evidence-based information and clinical guidance and tools to guide conversations with people who live with asthma.
To participate, pharmacists should register at at www.nps.org.au/pharmacy-practice-reviews. Other NPS MedicineWise asthma resources, including online information hubs for consumers and health professionals, are available at www.nps.org.au/asthma