The role of pharmacists in asthma management: patient opinions and expectations in North Macedonia

This study aimed to assess patients’ perceptions of inhaler technique education and the pharmacist’s role in asthma care in North Macedonia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to September 2024 at the University Clinic for Pulmonology and Allergology in Skopje, involving 187 adult asth...

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Main Authors: Dijana Miceva, Maja Simonoska Crcarevska, Zorica Naumovska, Katarina Smilkov, Darinka Gjorgieva Ackova, Biljana Lazarova, Bistra Angelovska, Elena Drakalska Sersemova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pensoft Publishers 2025-08-01
Series:Pharmacia
Online Access:https://pharmacia.pensoft.net/article/158222/download/pdf/
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Summary:This study aimed to assess patients’ perceptions of inhaler technique education and the pharmacist’s role in asthma care in North Macedonia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to September 2024 at the University Clinic for Pulmonology and Allergology in Skopje, involving 187 adult asthma patients. Most participants (69%) reported adherence to therapy, but 13.9% had never received inhaler training, and only 27.3% had been instructed by a pharmacist. While 96.3% expressed interest in pharmacist counseling on medications, only 48.7% were open to pharmacist-led inhaler training. Significant associations were found between adherence and both gender (p = 0.040) and inhaler training. These findings suggest limited awareness of the pharmacist’s clinical role. Expanding pharmacist-led education in community pharmacies and fostering collaboration with physicians could improve asthma outcomes and promote more effective use of healthcare resources.
ISSN:2603-557X