Two out of three of Ireland’s 470,000 people with asthma may be unknowingly aggravating their condition by not using their inhalers correctly.
The Asthma Society of Ireland and the Irish Pharmacy Union [IPU] have launched an inhaler technique awareness campaign to encourage people with asthma to check that they are using their inhaler device correctly.
Sharon Cosgrove, Asthma Society of Ireland CEO, said: “Many people with asthma may not be aware that poor inhaler technique could be making their condition worse, so we have created a range of information videos to help anyone in Ireland with asthma check that they are using their device correctly and getting the full benefit of it.
“With new types of inhalers having come onto the market, there is a real need for these videos which are short, easy to understand and we feel will be of real benefit to anyone with, or caring for, someone with asthma.” Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has also lent his support to the campaign: ‘‘Ireland has a significant asthma population,” he said. “For asthma sufferers, proper asthma management is key to good health and good inhaler technique is essential.
“The Asthma Society’s Inhaler Technique campaign, supported by the IPU, is a great initiative, and I would encourage every person with asthma to get their technique checked and get it right.”
The Irish Pharmacy Union is supporting the campaign through their 1,600 member pharmacies across Ireland. Throughout the month of September all IPU pharmacies will be offering free inhaler technique advice to their customers.
New inhaler technique videos by the Asthma Society are free to access on www.asthma.ie and all local pharmacies are offering a free inhaler checking service throughout the month of September.
