Case scenario

Amir, a 35-year-old male, presents to the pharmacy requesting a salbutamol inhaler. Upon questioning, he informs you he needs salbutamol for his asthma and has ‘used it since he was a kid’. Amir says his asthma has been well controlled of late and that it only flares with a chest infection and when he gets hay fever. He states he would like to have the salbutamol as he is going away and wants to have one on hand. He is on no other asthma medicines and has only used salbutamol twice in the past month.

Learning objectives

After reading this article, pharmacists should be able to:

  • Describe the clinical features of asthma
  • Discuss current management strategies for asthma
  • Explain how pharmacists can assist patients with asthma.

Competency standards (2016) addressed: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.2, 3.1, 3.5

Accreditation number: CAP2510CDMSB

Accreditation expiry: 31/09/2028

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Introduction

The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) strategy defines asthma as ‘a heterogeneous disease, usually characterised by chronic airway inflammation. It is defined by the history of respiratory symptoms such as wheeze, shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough that vary over time and in intensity, together with variable expiratory airflow limitation’.1

In 2019, GINA comprehensively revised its recommendations for asthma management. This was based on its committee of asthma experts reviewing the evidence. Asthma guidelines from the National Asthma Council Australia

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