Spanish Pharmacies Will Offer Information on Asthma and Proper Use of Inhalers
The initiative will take place on May 5 and plans to reach some 5.000 patients with asthma and their families, who will be able to resolve their doubts with nursing professionals The action is carried out
The initiative will take place on May 5 and plans to reach some 5.000 patients with asthma and their families, who will be able to resolve their doubts with nursing professionals
The action is carried out within the framework of the Breathing is Life Program and is the result of the collaboration agreement between Chiesi laboratories and the Lovexair Foundation in favor of respiratory diseases
Patient education is crucial to improve adherence to treatment. However, up to 70% of people with asthma do not follow the prescribed therapy
There are studies that confirm that up to 70% of people with asthma do not follow the prescribed therapy, which is associated with an increase in mortality and morbidity, as well as a greater use of health services and resources. Patient education has proven to be crucial to improve therapeutic adherence, which is why Chiesi laboratories and the Lovexair Foundation are promoting an informative and educational activity on the occasion of World Asthma Day 2015.
The initiative will take place on Tuesday, May 5 simultaneously in pharmacy offices distributed throughout the Spanish geography. In each of them, a nursing professional will offer information and resolve the doubts of respiratory patients and their relatives and/or caregivers in relation to asthma and the correct use of inhalation devices. Information on the action on the occasion of World Asthma Day and the pharmacies that have joined can be found at http://lovexair.net/dia-mundial-del-asma-2015.
Jordi Giner, Nurse at the Pneumology Service of the Hospital de la Sta. Creu i Sant Pau (Barcelona), defends the advantages of inhaled therapy in the treatment of asthma, compared to other forms of administration, mainly because it allows a direct action on the lung, and practically immediately with some of the most used drugs.
“The use of devices that dispense these inhaled medications requires training and control by health personnel (doctors, nurses, pharmacists). The correct inhalation technique is the basis for the treatment to work because, if it is not carried out correctly, what happens is that less medication reaches the lung and therefore the patient is undertreated” Jordi Giner
Awareness and solution to the most frequent doubts
With this action, it is expected to reach some 5.000 people, improving their knowledge about asthma and the use of inhalers. And it is one of the most prevalent lung diseases: in Spain, it affects 5% of adults and 8-10% of the child population1.
In the words of Jordi Giner, "it is normal that, in a chronic disease such as asthma, doubts may arise for patients, which is why it is important to carry out this type of training and information actions". According to the expert, raising the patient's awareness is one of the main reasons for carrying out this journey, since asthma, unlike other chronic pathologies, has phases of stability in which the patient has no symptoms. "It is essential that the person affected understands that he should not stop taking the medication during these periods, as it can lead to a worsening of the disease."
On the other hand, in many cases asthma is related to environmental allergies such as mites, pollens, animal epithelia, drugs, etc. "Offering recommendations to these patients on how they should act to avoid a worsening of symptoms due to these elements is necessary," the expert remarks.
This expert has also coordinated the content of a series of materials that will be delivered to people who come to the information point and that explain, in a simple way, the basic aspects to be taken into account for the correct control of the disease and the use of the most commonly used inhalers: cartridges, inhalation chambers or dry powder devices.
Agreement in favor of respiratory diseases
This information campaign in pharmacies is the first activity resulting from the collaboration agreement between Chiesi laboratories and the Lovexair Foundation, whose objective is the joint carrying out of projects and activities in the field of respiratory and pulmonary diseases.
Among these activities, information campaigns may be carried out on the different respiratory pathologies aimed at patients, caregivers and the general population; prevention campaigns aimed at the general population; actions to disseminate innovative treatments and resources for patients and caregivers; professional conferences on advances and novelties; o Exchange and debate activities between patients, professionals, employees and other relevant actors.
About the Breathing is Life Program
The Breathe is Life Program was born with the aim of contributing to the knowledge and awareness of the population about asthma and COPD, two of the most prevalent respiratory diseases. It offers practical, reliable and quality information from experts in the field. The activities carried out within the framework of the Respirar es Vida Program are aimed at people with asthma and COPD, relatives and friends, as well as the press and health professionals.
I asked Pharmaceuticals
CHIESI Laboratories is a pharmaceutical multinational based in Parma (Italy) created more than 75 years ago. In recent years, its policy of promoting R&D (to which it dedicates 15% of its turnover) and new acquisitions have made it possible for it to reach sales in excess of 2010 million euros in 1.000. It has three production plants (Italy, France and Brazil) and four research centers in Italy, France, Great Britain and the United States. It has a strong presence in Europe (including Spain) and throughout the world (United States, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, China, Russia, Egypt and the Maghreb countries).
About us
The Lovexair Foundation works to raise awareness in society about the importance of early diagnosis, prevention and daily care of lung diseases. Thanks to the multidisciplinary team that integrates it, the Foundation focuses on informing patients, family members and caregivers about how to deal with a day-to-day life with a chronic respiratory disease such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and ASTHMA and other lesser-known diseases, such as the Alpha-1. It also develops projects and services aimed at improving the quality of life and well-being of the affected person and their family environment, supporting the health professional and collaborating with the industry and other institutions and organizations to offer solutions to this community. http://www.lovexair.com
REFERENCES
GEMA 2011. Spanish guide for the management of asthma for patients.
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