Attitudes of private pharmacists in the management of asthma patients in Lomé.

Background: Optimal asthma management requires interventions by a number of health professionals, including pharmacists.

Objective: To assess the attitudes of pharmacists towards asthma patients and to evaluate their knowledge about how to use the metered dose inhaler.

Methods: A descriptive survey through self-administered questionnaire was conducted among pharmacists in private pharmacies in Lomé, Togo. Pharmacists who did not respond before the sixth round of the investigator were excluded from the study.

Results: The participation rate was 76.4%. All pharmacists stated that asthma patients visited their pharmacies during and/or between acute episodes. Some asthma patients visited the pharmacies without prior medical prescription. Asthma drugs were delivered without medical prescription, particularly during acute episodes. In case of acute episodes, care was provided by 51.2% of pharmacists. Aerosol devices were the most widely used treatment, although the technical procedures required for correct inhalation were found to be poorly understood by 27.4% of the pharmacists. Pharmacists provided recommendations to patients on long-term treatment, regular medical follow-up and avoidance of allergens and tobacco smoking.

Conclusion: Rather than limiting their action to dispensing drugs, pharmacists can also become involved in educating asthma patients.