How pharmacists can support patients with asthma and allergies

In this article:

• Why pharmacist involvement matters
• How to help
• Collaborative care

In this article

• Why pharmacist involvement matters
• How to help
• Collaborative care

While asthma and allergies are separate conditions, they actually have a lot in common. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) notes that many people with asthma have allergies, and allergens are the most common trigger of asthma. 

According to the AAFA, asthma and allergies are among the most common chronic conditions in the U.S., affecting about 28 million and 106 million people, respectively. Because of their accessibility, community pharmacists are uniquely positioned to help patients manage their asthma and allergies. 

Why pharmacist involvement matters

Effective asthma management depends on many factors, including proper medication use, medication adherence, avoidance of triggers, smoking cessation, and identification of worsening symptoms. Pharmacists are highly accessible healthcare providers and trusted medication experts. This puts them in a valuable position to support their patients in managing their asthma and allergies by educating them on proper medication use, emphasizing the importance of adherence, and recognizing when patients need a referral for further medical care. 

In fact, studies have shown that pharmacist-led interventions can improve asthma control, decrease barriers to adherence, and potentially improve asthma outcomes. 

How to help patients with asthma

Ensuring patients are using their inhalers safely and correctly is key, but there are several other ways pharmacists can support patients with asthma and allergies. 

Explaining the role of asthma medications

Managing a long-term condition like asthma can be overwhelming for patients. They may be taking multiple medications to control their symptoms, and it may be confusing when to use each. Pharmacists can clear up this confusion by explaining the role of each medication. For example, it is a good idea to discuss the difference between rescue inhalers versus maintenance inhalers. 

Training on how to use inhalers

Inhalers are tricky to use, and if patients aren’t using them correctly, they probably aren’t as effective as they should be. Pharmacists can use counseling sessions to demonstrate proper inhaler use. If patients are using multiple types of inhalers, be sure to highlight the differences in use. For instance, they’ll need to inhale a quick, deep breath while using dry-powder inhalers (DPIs), but a slower inhalation is okay with metered-dose inhalers (MDIs). 

Identifying and address barriers to medication adherence

Research has shown that almost one-fourth of exacerbations and asthma-related hospitalizations are due to poor medication adherence, yet adherence to maintenance asthma medications is consistently low. Reasons for nonadherence include forgetfulness, lack of understanding about proper inhaler use, and misconceptions about asthma management. 

There are several ways pharmacists can address nonadherence, such as reviewing refill histories to monitor for suboptimal medication use, reinforcing the importance of taking maintenance medications daily, and providing strategies that help patients remember to take their medicine. 

If cost is a concern, offering ways to obtain financial support, such as SingleCare coupons, manufacturer-sponsored copay cards, or other savings programs, is invaluable. Recommending lower-cost alternatives is also useful in certain situations.

Educating about trigger avoidance

Allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander, are the most common asthma triggers. Pharmacists can help patients identify their specific triggers and provide personalized counseling on how to avoid or limit their exposure to them. 

Another way pharmacists can help is through screening for potential drug interactions. Many patients aren’t aware that certain drugs, like nonselective beta blockers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can aggravate asthma symptoms. 

Recognizing signs and symptoms of exacerbation

Minimizing the risk of future exacerbations is a key component of asthma management. As a pharmacist, you are well-positioned to identify signs of poorly controlled asthma. If you notice frequent refills of rescue inhaler prescriptions, repeated purchases of OTC allergy medications, or prescriptions for steroid courses, you may consider referring them for follow-up medical care. 

Providing immunizations

Certain vaccines can lower the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death in people with asthma and allergies. These include:

• Influenza
• COVID-19
• Pneumococcal
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Whooping cough (pertussis)

All of these vaccines are usually available at retail pharmacies. Pharmacists may help reduce the risk of complications by recommending appropriate vaccinations. 

Smoking cessation

Smoking is known to worsen asthma and cause asthma flare-ups. Quitting smoking is crucial for asthma management. Several states have legislation that allows pharmacists to counsel patients on smoking cessation. This may include assessing a patient’s readiness to quit, explaining the different smoking cessation products, and referring to smoking cessation resources. 

Collaborative care and referrals

Pharmacists are an essential part of the asthma care team. As frontline healthcare providers, they have regular, ongoing contact with patients and can provide medical referrals and communicate concerns about disease management with other healthcare providers. This collaboration can help improve medication adherence, reduce asthma symptoms, and minimize the risk of future exacerbations.