In Addition to Reading Our Asthma Care Blog, Check Out GameChangers: Optimizing Asthma Care: with Josh Kinsey and Guest Rachel Maynard, PharmD, from Pyrls
GameChangers Clinical Conversations has launched a special pilot series in collaboration with our friends at Pyrls, a modern drug information resource and app. These crossover episodes, called GameChanging Pyrls, combine Pyrls’ trusted, evidence-based clinical tools with CEimpact’s expertise in pharmacy education and accreditation. These episode will bring you timely, actionable content that supports both your practice and your professional development. It’s a privilege to work alongside the Pyrls team. We’re excited to kick off this pilot series with today’s episode focused on the management of asthma care.
Understanding Asthma Care: Empowering Pharmacists in Managing a Chronic Condition
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the airways, leading to symptoms like: wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. These symptoms can vary over time and often involve reversible airflow obstruction.
Despite being a common condition, asthma’s impact is anything but trivial. It affects millions of individuals across all age groups. When poorly managed, asthma can significantly compromise quality of life and increase healthcare utilization.
Effective Asthma Care Management Strategies
Fortunately, effective management strategies can make a substantial difference. And at the heart of that management is a key yet sometimes underutilized healthcare provider: the pharmacist. Positioned on the front lines of patient care, pharmacists play a vital role in supporting asthma diagnosis. They can ensure correct medication use, reinforce adherence, and educate patients about triggers and proper inhaler technique.
Pharmacist Opportunities and Challenges in Asthma Care
Pharmacists have a growing role in enhancing asthma care. With numerous opportunities available to make a measurable impact. Staying up to date with evolving clinical guidelines—especially the stepwise approach to therapy—enables pharmacists to guide appropriate treatment adjustments and optimize outcomes.
Inhaler counseling is another area of high impact. By helping patients master proper technique, pharmacists can ensure effective medication delivery and improve disease control. They also serve as accessible advocates for personalized treatment, aiding patients and providers in navigating therapy escalation or de-escalation based on symptom control.
Additionally, pharmacists can reinforce preventive care by promoting adherence, advising on trigger avoidance, and clarifying the distinction between maintenance and rescue therapies.
Challenges in Providing Asthma Care
However, challenges remain. Misuse of inhalers continues to be widespread, often compromising medication efficacy despite patient adherence. Nonadherence to controller medications is another hurdle, with many patients discontinuing maintenance therapies when symptoms subside.
Pharmacists must also help patients navigate complex regimens, particularly in severe cases that require step-up therapy or the use of biologics.
Also, disparities in health literacy and access can hinder effective communication and limit medication affordability or insurance coverage—issues pharmacists must address with empathy and clarity.
Moving Forward: Practical Ways Pharmacists Can Improve Asthma Care Outcomes
To fully realize their potential in asthma management, pharmacists can implement several practical, high-impact strategies in daily practice.
Demonstrating proper inhaler technique—and routinely rechecking it during medication refills—ensures consistent and effective drug delivery.
Monitoring for patients who frequently rely on rescue inhalers can serve as a red flag, prompting timely therapy reassessment and possible escalation.
Additionally, pharmacists can empower patients through education on peak flow monitoring and the use of personalized asthma action plans, helping them recognize early signs of worsening control and take appropriate steps.
By combining clinical knowledge with these hands-on interventions, pharmacists can play a pivotal role in improving asthma care outcomes and supporting long-term disease control.
Bio for GameChangers podcast: Rachel Maynard, PharmD: Rachel Maynard, PharmD, has over 10 years of experience in community pharmacy practice and more than 13 years of experience developing and managing the publication of high-quality, engaging, evidence-based drug information and educational resources. She is passionate about equipping healthcare professionals and patients with knowledge and practical skills to optimize care. Dr. Maynard earned her undergraduate degree in biology at Boston University and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Rhode Island, then completed a community pharmacy practice residency. Her interests include immunizations, medication therapy management, diabetes, and advancing community pharmacy practice.
Josh Kinsey, PharmD, CEimpact VP, Education and Innovation and host of GameChangers Clinical Conversations
