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.
Are unconscious gender biases widening the Australian gender pain gap?
Pain is a highly complex and subjective phenomenon, characterised by high levels of inter-individual variability.1,2 This can make it difficult to quantify and compare...
Making medicine safety a National Health Priority Area
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) two recently released reports, Pharmacists in 2023 and Medicine Safety: Take Care, both identify the need for medicine...
Pharmacists on the front line: Approaches to mental illness
Australia’s run of catastrophic summer bushfires followed by the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a grim toll on the nation’s mental health.
How to plan for the upcoming CPD year
There are five steps to a successful Continuing Professional Development (CPD): plan, do, record, reflect and report.
Night moves
Dimitra Tsucalas FPS, co-owner of Ascot Vale Supercare Pharmacy, has seen it all. From late-night triage, shift workers, opioid seekers and everything in between,...
Why this pharmacist offers Flucelvax® Quad to every eligible patient*
Tanya Maloney shares why it’s crucial to plan for the 2023 flu season, and how delighted she is by her patients’ interest in Flucelvax® Quad.
