Over 7,500 asthmatics in Clare are not using their inhalers correctly according to the Asthma Society of Ireland.
Currently there are 11,433 people with asthma in Clare. Two thirds of those don’t use their inhaler correctly leaving them at risk of a serious asthma attack and even death.
The Society has teamed up with Boots Ireland for World Asthma Day today and Asthma Week (1 – 8 May 2017).
To mark the awareness week, Boots is providing free ‘Let’s Breathe Easy’ asthma consultations and support packs in its 83 pharmacies throughout the country during the month of May.
According to the CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland, Averil Power: “Up to 60 per cent of all asthmatics don’t use their inhalers correctly and so don’t have their asthma under control. As a result, someone ends up in A&E every 26 minutes with a serious asthma attack and 50 people die each year from the condition.
Tragically, the vast majority of these deaths could be prevented through proper asthma management. This partnership with Boots will provide asthmatics of all ages with an excellent opportunity to discuss their asthma with a pharmacist and get advice on how to manage it better.”
Susan O’Dwyer, Healthcare Development Manager with Boots Ireland said: “Throughout the month of May, asthma patients can avail of a free ‘Let’s Breathe Easy’ consultation in their local Boots pharmacy. These consultations are designed to provide advice and support to patients with asthma, helping them to better manage their condition. They can discuss their current use of medication with a pharmacist and have their inhaler technique checked to ensure they are not wasting their medicine by using their device incorrectly.”