Asthma Patients Not Using Inhalers Correctly

The majority of Irish patients with asthma are not using their inhalers correctly, a survey currently being carried out in pharmacies suggests. The results are in line with international experience.

The Asthma Society and the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) are working together to reverse this by encouraging asthma patients to ask their pharmacist about inhaler technique.

Studies of community pharmacy based asthma services performed in other EU countries show positive effects on patients when a care model involving pharmacists is adapted.

“If people are not using their inhalers effectively, they can be severely restricted in terms of physical activity and are more likely to be admitted to hospital. People often use more of their inhaler than they actually need, which is an unnecessary cost,” said Darragh O’Loughlin, Galway pharmacist and Chairman of the IPU’s Community Pharmacy Committee.

“Small changes in managing the condition such as better inhaler technique, effective use of inhalers, avoiding over-reliance on emergency inhalers and proper care and maintenance of inhalers can make a huge difference to the health of a patient,” he said.

Proper inhaler technique demonstrated by an Irish asthma nurse specialist and a patient can be seen on Asthma Society website.

Asthma affects nearly half a million people in Ireland, the fourth highest rate of asthma worldwide. This very high rate of Asthma in Ireland poses concerns for the public health system with acute attacks of the condition being responsible for 6,000 hospital admissions every year and an additional 26,000 A&E visits. 

Posted Monday 12th May 2008