Are there differences in the patient-reported medication-related problems among asthma and allergy patients? A community pharmacy survey in Finland.

BACKGROUND: A medication-related problem is an event involving medication that interferes with desired health outcomes. Those are largely studied among asthma patients, but little is known about medication-related problems among allergy patients. The objective of this study was to determine the most common patient-reported medication-related problems among asthma patients compared to allergy patients during the self-management of diseases. The other objective was to identify how demographic variables and the received treatment information influence reported problems. METHODS: A nationwide survey was conducted in Finnish community pharmacies (n = 785) in September 2016. The survey targeted patients buying prescription medicines for asthma or allergy. RESULTS: Responses were received from 46% of targeted pharmacies from 956 respondents. At least one medication problem was reported by 24% of asthma patients and 12% of allergy patients. The most common problems among asthma patients were having problems taking medicines on time (16%), problems in the administration technique (7%) and in the use of the inhaler (4%). Among allergy patients, 10% reported problems remembering to take medicines on time. Severe asthma and allergy increased the risk for medication-related problems (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.04-1.40 and OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.0-1.37). A higher age and less education were associated with fewer reported medication-related problems among both patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: Asthma patients reported more medication-related problems than allergy patients. Among both investigated patient groups, remembering to take medicines on time was the most common. Health care professionals should educate younger patients but also older and less educated asthma and allergy patients to recognize and, to solve medication-related problems. In addition, severe asthma patients still need medication counseling.

Are there differences in the treatment information received to support guided self-management between asthma and allergy patients?: A community pharmacy survey in Finland.

Background: Guided self-management of asthma supported by health care professionals is a well-established approach. For allergy patients, there is less guidelines and evidence for guided self-management than for asthma patients. Objective: The objective of this study was to find out how commonly asthma and allergy patients receive written action plans, how much and from which sources they receive treatment information to support their self-management, and to identify associated factors that may influence the support of guided self-management, and if there are any differences between these patients. Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted in Finnish community pharmacies (n = 785) in September 2016 targeting patients buying prescription medicines for asthma or allergies. Results: Responses were received from 46% of targeted pharmacies. Around 73% of the asthma patients, 61% of patients at risk of anaphylaxis, and less than 50% of the other allergy patients had received a written action plan. The most common source of treatment information for both patient groups was pharmacists. Allergy patients sought information more from written sources than asthma patients. Older males and patients with lower education received less treatment information. About 10% of both asthma and allergy patients did not report receiving any treatment information. Conclusion: The majority of asthma patients and allergy patients at risk of anaphylaxis had received a written action plan, while fewer than half of other allergy patients had received a written action plan. For both asthma and allergy patients, community pharmacists are the most common source of treatment information. Allergy patients seek more information from written sources than asthma patients. Pharmacists have a crucial role in the support of self-management for these patients.

Community pharmacists' knowledge of COPD, and practices and perceptions of medication counseling of COPD patients.

Background and purpose: COPD is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although medication counseling interventions by pharmacists have been found to support the management of COPD, little is known about pharmacists' knowledge concerning COPD and regular practices and perceptions concerning medication counseling of COPD patients. The purpose of this study was to research these topics among Finnish community pharmacists. Materials and methods: In January 2017, an electronic survey was e-mailed to Finnish community pharmacies (n=741) via the Association of the Finnish Pharmacies. One pharmacist from each pharmacy, preferably a specialist in asthma, was invited to answer the survey. Results: Completed responses were received from 263 pharmacists (response rate =35%), of whom 196 pharmacists were specialists in asthma. Response rate among asthma pharmacists was 42%. Pharmacists were positive about their role in medication counseling and in support of the self-management of COPD patients. COPD-related knowledge was self-assessed as being good and was on a good level in respect of basic facts. However, almost half (46%) of the pharmacists did not know that COPD is considered a national public health issue, and ~50% of the pharmacists were not familiar with the current care guideline on COPD. Medication counseling was found to be more medicinal product-driven and less advisory concerning lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation and physical exercise. Conclusion: Although the pharmacists' knowledge of COPD was good on general topics, there were some gaps in their knowledge on the current care guideline and status of the disease. Pharmacists should more systematically individually target medication counseling according to patients' needs. In addition, lifestyle treatments, including smoking cessation and physical exercise, should be part of the medication counseling.