Pharmacists’ Role in Helping Patients Manage COPD | ASHP Midyear

In the US alone, over 14 million patients experience chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with hundreds, if not millions, more cases going undetected.¹ While millions of Americans are faced with this lifestyle-impeding disease, providers too should be well aware of how to help patients through their COPD exacerbations.

Lourdes Cross, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES, Associate Professor at Sullivan University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, gave a presentation on COPD management at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2024 Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition, held December 8 to 12 in New Orleans, Louisiana. After her presentation, titled “Clearing the Air: COPD Management Strategies,” Cross caught up with Drug Topics to discuss the specific role of pharmacists in managing patients’ COPD.

“We want to prevent the [COPD] exacerbation from happening. As pharmacists, we’re often the first health care professionals to notice that there’s some sort of issue happening; an exacerbation is occurring or has occurred. Things we can look out for include increased use of rescue inhalers as well as a deterioration in their symptoms,” said Cross.

Learn about Cross’ expert insights within the COPD space regarding medications, route administration, symptom management, and more. While it’s important for patients to have a grasp on their own comorbidities, it may be even more crucial for pharmacists to have a greater knowledge of COPD and all other disease states that their patient population experiences.

Follow along with our coverage of the 2024 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition here.

Reference

1. What is COPD? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Published November 8, 2024. Accessed December 12, 2024. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/copd