Pharmacies are offering asthma advice

Pharmacists are launching a campaign to encourage people who have asthma to learn the correct way to use their inhalers.

Following a recent survey by Asthma UK which found that up to one third of asthma sufferers aren’t using their inhaler properly, Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacies are offering advice and support for people who are unsure of the right way to take their medication.

“The most common mistake that people who use inhalers makes is breathing in too hard for their device or too gently,” explains Pharmacist Jeff Law, who is based at Lincolnshire Co-op’s Cabourne Avenue Pharmacy in Lincoln.

In the UK 5.4 million people are receiving treatment for asthma which means 1 in 11 people have the condition.

According to Asthma UK, the lives of three families are devastated by the death of a loved one to an asthma attack every day and tragically two thirds of deaths are preventable.

Jeff says that the most common mistake that people make is a simple one: “People don’t realise that they should breathe into their inhaler as if taking a normal breath. If they don’t use the device properly their asthma and breathing may get worse.”

Sonia Munde, Head of Helpline and Nurse Manager at Asthma UK, said: “You can help reduce your risk of an asthma attack by making sure you have an annual asthma review with your doctor or asthma nurse, a written asthma action plan, inhaler technique check, are taking your medicines as prescribed and that you know what to do if your symptoms start to get worse. For further help, advice and support please call the Asthma UK helpline to speak to one of our asthma expert nurses on 0300 222 5800 or visit: www.asthma.org.uk”

People who use inhalers can drop in to any Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacy to find out more about how to use their inhaler in the correct way.

“There’s no need to book an appointment and our pharmacists are happy to help. You can prove to us that you’re doing it right or we can check to see if you’re doing it wrong!” added Jeff.

Our pharmacy teams can also offer NHS Medicine Use Reviews to check you’re taking your medicines correctly.

For more details, just pop into your local branch.