[Attitude of private pharmacists in the dispensation of asthma drugs]. / Attitude du pharmacien d'officine dans la dispensation des médicaments de l'asthme.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Despite recommendations, asthma remains poorly controlled in many countries. Asthmatic patients see pharmacy staff regularly to obtain medications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitude of pharmacists in Burkina Faso about dispensing asthma drugs. METHOD: A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was used to collect data in a descriptive cross-sectional study related to pharmacists' attitudes in the management of asthma in the city of Ouagadougou (November 2010-June 2011). RESULTS: The rate of participation of pharmacists in the study was 82.4%. Of the pharmacists surveyed, 70.1% reported having received asthma patients both during acute asthma exacerbations and when stable. Only 9% of pharmacists insisted on a prescription when asthma patients came to the pharmacy without one. A total of 73.6% of pharmacists explained and demonstrated how to use the spray to the patients. Among pharmacists who demonstrated how to use devices, only 6.7% actually checked patients' technique. Inhaler technique demonstration was done verbally in 68.8% of case. Among pharmacists, 34.5% reported a good mastery of inhaler techniques. CONCLUSION: The techniques for dispensing asthma drugs are not well established among pharmacists and therefore the provision of continuous medical education to pharmacists is important.