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.
Push for pharmacists to do more in Queensland
A Queensland Government inquiry has recommended allowing pharmacists to provide some low-risk prescriptions, as well as lowering the minimum patient age requirement for pharmacist-administered...
Treating hypertension – a new approach
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Research has indicated that a new pharmacological...
Thousands suffering from undiagnosed type 2 diabetes
The CEO of Diabetes Australia, Professor Greg Johnson, recently called attention to the high numbers of Australians living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
In a...
Flu season is upon us: reminders to immunise are essential
With COVID-19 continuing to dominate news headlines more than a year after the World Health Organization declared a pandemic, PSA has urged people not to forget their annual influenza vaccination.
Pharmacist interpreting service gets major expansion
Pharmacists have been given a powerful new tool for giving advice to Australia’s diverse communities, after the Department of Social Services substantially expanded access...
Re-thinking opioids
Pharmacists can minimise opioid harm by helping patients step down.
While opioids play an important role in the management of acute pain, their widespread use...
