What the pulmonary specialist should know about the new inhalation therapies

Abstract

A collaboration of multidisciplinary experts on the delivery of pharmaceutical aerosols was facilitated by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the International Society for Aerosols in Medicine (ISAM), in order to draw up a consensus statement with clear, up-to-date recommendations that enable the pulmonary physician to choose the type of aerosol delivery device that is most suitable for their patient. The focus of the consensus statement is the patientuse aspect of the aerosol delivery devices that are currently available.The subject was divided into different topics, which were in turn assigned to at least two experts. The authors searched the literature according to their own strategies, with no central literature review being performed. To achieve consensus, draft reports and recommendations were reviewed and voted on by the entire panel.Specific recommendations for use of the devices can be found throughout the statement. Healthcare providers should ensure that their patients can and will use these devices correctly. This requires that the clinician: is aware of the devices that are currently available to deliver the prescribed drugs; knows the various techniques that are appropriate for each device; is able to evaluate the patient's inhalation technique to be sure they are using the devices properly; and ensures that the inhalation method is appropriate for each patient.

Brand and generic use of inhalation medication and frequency of switching in children and adults: A population-based cohort study

“…Switching of inhalation therapy may coincide with a change of aerosol delivery device type as substitution is permitted if generic names are used on the prescription [4]. In principle, the choice of aerosol delivery device type is based on patient characteristics, like age, inspiratory force, device characteristics, and patient's preference [5] and each aerosol delivery device type requires careful and repeated instruction. Unexpected change in aerosol delivery device type may lead to confusion and incorrect use.…”

Time Required to Rectify Inhaler Errors Among Experienced Subjects With Faulty Technique

“…[4][5][6][7] As a consequence, the role of education from trained caregivers is important to reduce poor inhaler technique not only at the time of the first prescription but also at follow-up visits. 8,9 Many studies have evaluated the time required for educating naive adult users to inhaler mastery, [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] but, to our knowledge, no information is available to evaluate the re-education time required to achieve inhaler mastery in experienced users with faulty baseline technique. Our previous study, the GENEBI Project 2 , investigated home inhaler practice among experienced stable subjects with chronic obstructive airway diseases referred to chest clinics throughout Italy.…”

Knowledge, Attitudes and Preferences Among Spanish Community Pharmacists Regarding Inhaled Therapy (The Optim Pharmacy Study)

“…Training and follow-up in the use of inhalation devices are regarded as the most important steps in education programs. Similarly, national societies such as the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) [10] and international societies such as the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the International Society of Aerosol in Medicine (ISAM) [11] have developed guidelines and consensus reports for the use of inhaled therapy.…”