Serious asthma under the spotlight

PHARMAC has begun a new campaign to work alongside doctors, pharmacists and practice nurses to cut down the number of New Zealanders whose asthma gets out of control.

The new team is currently talking with doctors and asthma groups about the best ways to improve asthma management.

PHARMAC Medical Director Dr Peter Moodie says the point of the campaign is to bring down the rate of serious asthma and to ensure appropriate use of medicines and devices.

“Asthma affects one New Zealander in every ten which makes it a major health problem. We are hoping that by working with doctors on guidelines for best practice and with patient groups on education programmes we can make a dent in that problem.”

The PHARMAC team has just spent three weeks talking to interested groups around the country about what could be done. Ideas and comments from these groups will be included in the plan.

“We want to provide a platform to help this important work get done. Co-operating in this way means there will be less duplication and better health for people with asthma.”

The campaign is one of a series of joint strategies PHARMAC is currently focusing on in association with healthcare professionals.

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