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.
Ensuring patients’ medical data is secure
The rollout of My Health Record has raised questions surrounding the security of medical data. What measures must be taken in pharmacies to preserve...
What the Government’s new health plan means for pharmacy
The Department of Health recently released its reform plan for healthcare: Australia’s Long Term National Health Plan: to build the world’s best health system....
Leading Pharmacy Future: PSA18 highlights
Sydney will become the centre of the Australian pharmacy universe on Friday, as PSA18 brings together more than 1000 pharmacists and healthcare leaders for...
Pharmacists must be ’empowered and emboldened’ in the new digital age
The rise in patient access to information about managing their own health should not threaten to supplant pharmacists but instead make them more essential...
Community pharmacy effective in reducing prescribing waste
An English project looking to reduce medicines wastage across community pharmacy, care homes and general practice has produced savings representing a return of nearly...
Supporting environmental sustainability – what can you do to help?
Advice and practical tips on how pharmacists can help lead positive change.
How are climate change and health connected?
Healthcare may not be the first thing...
