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.
Taking the first steps into pharmacist prescribing
Any pharmacist can become a pharmacist prescriber, according to this expert. Here’s how to forge your own path.
Staying compliant with PBS regulations
To ensure PBS claiming practices are compliant, ethical and audit-ready, here’s what every pharmacist should know.
FAQ: clozapine’s close checks
Clozapine, used for the management of treatment-resistant schizophrenia, is subject to strict regulatory and monitoring requirements.
Synthetic opioids ‘one of the biggest threats’ to drug-related harm
Australia should prepare now for a potential influx of synthetic opioids into the illicit drug market, an expert has told Australian Pharmacist, as overdoses increase internationally.
New COVID-19 booster advice
Just ahead of an apparent end-of-year surge in COVID-19 cases in the two most populous states, Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt announced on 12 December that the booster program would be fast-tracked.
What can be done about ongoing medicine shortages?
Palliative care patients and children bear the brunt of short supply of medicines. These legislative updates could help to make a difference.
