Minister for Health Launches New Pharmacy Campaign to Improve Asthma Control

Thursday, 04 March 2010 00:00

A new campaign to promote asthma control was launched today by Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney TD. The campaign, a joint initiative between The Asthma Society of Ireland and the Irish Pharmacy Union, will encourage patients with asthma to visit their local pharmacist to get advice on getting the most from their inhaler. The campaign was prompted by the fact that two out of three asthma patients do not have their symptoms under control. Incorrect inhaler technique can result in poor asthma control and an increase in symptoms. The campaign is running in pharmacies across the country and asthma patients are invited to visit their local pharmacy to have their inhaler technique checked for free. 

Mary Harney TD, Minister for Health and Children, said: “I would like to congratulate the Asthma Society of Ireland and the Irish Pharmacy Union for this initiative.  By spending a few minutes with a pharmacist, patients could significantly improve the management of their asthma and reduce their need to attend hospital.  Simple, yet very effective initiatives such as this, improve patients quality of life.  I would encourage anyone with asthma to avail of this opportunity.”

Dr Jean Holohan, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland, said “This campaign is targeting one of the common reasons for poor asthma control. Inhaler medication is the cornerstone of asthma management but if patients are not using inhalers correctly they are unlikely to get the full benefit from their medicine. I would encourage patients, and parents of children with asthma, to drop into their pharmacist and get advice on how to use their inhaler. It will only take a few minutes and could significantly improve their asthma control, reduce symptoms and improve quality of life’’

Liz Hoctor, President of the Irish Pharmacy Union, said: “Community pharmacists are uniquely placed to advise and support patients with asthma on how to improve their inhaler technique so patients get the most from their medication.  We encourage patients to visit their local pharmacist, bring along their inhaler(s) and the pharmacist will not only assess their inhaler technique but will also provide practical advice on living with asthma. As there are a number of different inhalers used to treat asthma pharmacists will provide  specific instructions tailored for individual patients needs.’’ 

Poor asthma control is responsible for 5,000 hospital admissions and 22,000 visits to Accident and Emergency units every year.  Asthma is the most common respiratory condition in Ireland and the most common chronic disease in children. The inhaler technique campaign is one of a number of projects initiated by the Asthma Society of Ireland to improve asthma management. 

The campaign is supported by a national radio advertising campaign. People with asthma are also encouraged to visit www.asthmasociety.ie for further information on asthma and videos on inhaler technique.