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.
Pharmacists on frontline share vaccination and lockdown experiences
Tasmanian pharmacists new to the rollout discuss encouraging vaccination despite low case numbers, while a newly locked-down pharmacist in Canberra shares how she quickly adapted to restrictions.
Men’s health: the other gender gap
Pharmacists can help improve health outcomes for men, especially if they use communication skills to draw out those who don’t often visit doctors.
Another 100 years … says birthday boy
You couldn’t pay 99-year-old William ‘Bill’ Lumley MPS to be a pharmacist in the ‘new normal’ world today.
Chronic kidney disease and quality use of medicines
With community pharmacists at the forefront of primary care, they can have a major role in a chronic kidney disease patient’s care.
The essential medicines adviser
Bernadette Cappello MPS has gone from community pharmacy, through the federal Department of Health to the World Health Organization in Geneva.
Breastfeeding and the role of the pharmacist
The health benefits of breastfeeding for both the mother and baby are significant, which is why breast milk is considered the best form of...
