Asthma is increasingly recognised as a heterogeneous disease, with several phenotypes defined by clinical and inflammatory characteristics. Common phenotypes include allergic (eosinophilic, IgE-mediated), non-allergic (often neutrophilic or paucigranulocytic), late-onset adult asthma, obesity-associated asthma, and asthma with persistent airflow limitation.14 Identifying phenotypes supports individualised treatment strategies, particularly in those with severe asthma, and better long-term outcomes.
Steps 2 and 3: Maintenance and reliever therapy (MART)
Comorbid conditions can complicate asthma management. Assess for and help address factors such as allergic rhinitis, which affects up to 80% of people with asthma,24 as well as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), anxiety, depression, obstructive sleep apnoea and smoking.
While health and fitness apps promise to improve the quality of life for users through positive behavioural changes, few systematic reviews have collated their efficacy via randomised control trials.
A study published by Bond University indicates some of these apps...
Eight out of every ten consumers say they'd be willing to obtain pharmacy-based chlamydia testing, according to a survey conducted in Australia and Switzerland.
The research, published in the Journal of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, shows 79.3% of Australian consumers...
An Australian study indicates pharmacists should play a larger role in identifying and resolving drug-related problems (DRPs) as part of a collaborative general practice team.
A University of Technology Sydney study looked at six pharmacists that were co-located with GPs...
Australian laws requiring use of paper documents prevent new technological solutions that could inhibit prescription fraud.
That’s the diagnosis of Dr Tal Rapke, chief executive of an Australian blockchain script service who, during an interview with the Australian Pharmacist, described...
The new Pharmacy House – owned by PSA members, for PSA members – was officially launched in Canberra in March by Assistant Minister for Science, Jobs and Innovation Senator Zed Seselja.
Supported by donations from pharmacist members and organisations, the...
Effectively managing the medication and health of elite athletes is always the right medicine for their sporting success.
However it’s often difficult when high-performance athletes – and support staff – are travelling overseas or need medication to treat medical...
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been ranked as serious a threat to society as terrorism. With millions of lives at risk, and trillions in GDP potentially lost, antibiotic misuse must be prevented to avoid widespread resistance.
Today, no-one expects a scratch...
The workforce issue facing general practice has been around for some time in the United Kingdom. Between 2007 and 2014, the GP clinical workload increased by 16% and patient consultation rates are up by 12.4% while the number of...
In a landmark decision, Victoria’s Parliament has passed new legislation allowing for a new real-time prescription monitoring system – making it the first state in Australia to roll-out mandatory prescription monitoring on this scale.
The Drugs, Poisons and Controlled...
Since becoming National President, I have received significant levels of feedback in support of PSA’s development of pharmacists working in general practice.
I have also received many responses from individuals worried that the development of this role for pharmacists will...
