Asthma Patient Care: The Pharmacist’s Perspective

Abstract

Aim of the Study: To compare effect of asthma care by pharmacist intervention versus routine care on asthma control. Patients and Methods: A 2-month randomised, controlled trial was conducted in outpatient clinics of Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt. Patients were randomly assigned to receive routine care or a pre-defined pharmacist intervention. This intervention was mainly focused on patient education, improving inhalation technique and medication assessment. Primary outcome was the level of asthma control, as assessed by the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ). Results: By the end of the study, intervention patients who received a written action plan significantly improved their ACQ results than routine care group who did not receive a plan (p < 0.0001). Inhalation technique and adherence to controller medication were significantly better in the intervention group. Conclusion: The present study results provide supportive evidence concerning pharmacists’ favourable effects on asthma patient care and support pharmacists as valuable members of the health care team.