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.
My Health Record – where to from here?
While the My Health Record (MHR) opt-out date of January 31 has come and gone, people still have the option to permanently delete their...
Clinical governance: shared responsibility, a common goal
New principles will help guide design and delivery of high-quality pharmacy services.
We have a high-quality health system in Australia, and a first-class pharmacy...
Bringing pharmacists into the digital future
PSA has unveiled a new digital health report, Connecting the dots: Digitally empowered pharmacists, at the PSA19 conference.
The report, funded by the Australian Digital...
Choosing Wisely: new medicines advice service arrives
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has released a list of recommendations for healthcare professionals to ensure the safe use of medicines.
The launch of...
The role of pharmacists in managing gastrointestinal disorders in infants
An estimated 50% of infants suffer from colic, constipation, reflux, or a combination of these disorders.1 These functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are one of...
Management of migraines in community pharmacy
Pharmacists play a vital role in supporting patients with migraines.
People with headaches are one of the most common presentations to community pharmacies and pharmacists...
