Abstract

THE ROLE OF PHARMACEUTICAL CARE IN THE TREATMENT OF PEDIATRIC BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

Anna Todorova*, Antoaneta Tsvetkova

ABSTRACT

Pharmacists act as intermediaries between physicians and patients in ensuring effective prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Given the social significance of bronchial asthma and the increasing childhood morbidity, we have developed a behavioral algorithm that stipulates the conduct of pharmacists in counselling the parents of children suffering from bronchial asthma. At present, there is no such guide in written developed or available for the needs of pharmacy practitioners in Bulgaria. The suggested approach is intended to facilitate the process of achieving and maintaining control over respiratory allergies through rational drug use and preventive measures against the progression of allergic rhinitis to asthma. Statistics show that the control over childhood asthma has significantly improved as a result of pharmaceutical care provided by pharmacists trained to comply with the developed algorithm.

Keywords: algorithm, asthma, children, control, pharmacists