asthma
Improving asthma management in adults
The 2025 update to the National Asthma Council (NAC) Australia’s guideline for asthma in primary care, the Australian Asthma Handbook, emphasises significant changes in asthma management. By Debbie Rigby, advanced …
Asthma deaths rise in under 35s
New approach needed to improve diagnosis and treatment of asthma, NAC director says Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows there was a 33.333% increase in the number of asthma-related in people under 35 years …
Triple therapy, SABA market growing
What is the cost and utilisation of the inhaler therapies market? Drug utilisation sub-committee investigates the numbers A PBS committee has considered whether reversion to Authority Required (telephone/online) may be …
Community pharmacists ‘need to have a different conversation with patients’
Health Minister launches updated Australian Asthma Handbook, while leading pharmacist highlights risks linked to SABA overuse The Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler has today (16 September 2025) launched …
‘We are not policemen’
PDL director advises on how to address patients “demanding” S3 medicines including SABAs While pharmacists need to be counselling on short-acting beta agonists (SABAs) overuse, it’s not their role to …
Asthma control, SABA overuse addressed
Leading pharmacist warns of 32-fold increased mortality risk associated with SABA overuse as definition of “asthma control” changes in Australian guidelines Changes in the Australian Asthma Handbook due to be …
Changes to the Australian asthma guidelines: how pharmacists can adapt
One in nine Australians report having asthma—that’s 2.9 million people. An estimated 90%+ of asthma hospitalisations are potentially preventable with optimised care in the community. In this webinar, clinical executive …
Concern over rising triple-therapy use
New report shows 130% increase in use of triple therapy for COPD, as well as a 31% drop in spirometry testing rates Patients with COPD who are using triple therapy …
Let pharmacists play a bigger role in asthma management: Twomey
Guild seeks nationwide scope expansion to provide better access to asthma care State and territory governments should follow Queensland’s lead in authorising pharmacists to provide asthma treatment plans and support patients …
Make sure asthma patients are protected
Pharmacists are being urged to encourage asthma patients to access NIP-funded flu shots Pharmacists should alert asthma patients that they can access influenza vaccines through the National Immunisation Program (NIP), …
New warning for asthma medication
Health professionals are being urged to “look out” for neuropsychiatric reactions in patients using montelukast A new boxed warning about potentially serious neuropsychiatric events is being added to the safety …
Research Roundup
Debbie Rigby rounds up the latest in research news Environmental impact of inhaled medicines This new position statement from Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand outlines strategies for mitigating …