Theresa R. Prosser

Asthma Friendly Pharmacies: A Model to Improve Communication and Collaboration among Pharmacists, Patients, and Healthcare Providers

Pharmacists, with expertise in optimizing drug therapy outcomes, are valuable components of the healthcare team and are becoming increasingly involved in public health efforts. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in diverse community pharmacy settings can implement a variety of asthma interventions when they are brief, supported by appropriate tools, and integrated into the workflow. The Asthma Friendly Pharmacy (AFP) model addresses the challenges of providing patient-focused care in a community pharmacy setting by offering education to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on asthma-related pharmaceutical care services, such as identifying or resolving medication-related problems; educating patients about asthma and medication-related concepts; improving communication and strengthening relationships between pharmacists, patients, and other healthcare providers; and establishing higher expectations for the pharmacist’s role in patient care and public health efforts. This article describes the feasibility of the model in an urban community pharmacy setting and documents the interventions and communication activities promoted through the AFP model.

Combination of Fluticasone Furoate and Vilanterol for the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of fluticasone furoate/vilanterol (FF/VI) and compare it with other inhaled combination corticosteroid/long-acting β2-receptor agonists for maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Data Sources: A PubMed and EMBASE search in June 2013 using the MeSH terms fluticasone and vilanterol identified trials using this combination for COPD. Additional information was gathered from references cited in the identified publications, the manufacturer, and package insert as well as the ClinicalTrials.gov registry. Study Selection/Data Extraction: Preference was given to randomized controlled clinical trials. Data from animal trials, clinical trials for asthma, and non-English sources were excluded. Data Synthesis: Given once daily, FF/VI improves trough forced expiratory volume at 1 s by about 230 mL in a 28-day trial versus placebo. However, a more modest increase (100-130 mL) was seen in 2 longer 28-week trials. In the longest trial of 1 year, a slight but significant decrease in the yearly rate of moderate plus severe exacerbations, the time to first moderate or severe exacerbation, and the frequency of exacerbations requiring systemic corticosteroids was seen. There was no difference in the rate of exacerbations requiring hospitalization. The product appears to have the adverse effect profile typical of its class. Conclusions: Of the inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β2 receptor agonist combinations, VI/FF is the first allowing once-daily dosing. Similar to the other combination products, it may slightly decrease the incidence of COPD exacerbations in the patient subset with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease risk category C or D. There are no direct safety or efficacy data comparing this with other available inhaled combination products. The once-daily dosing might improve adherence in select patients. The Ellipta delivery device may assist some who are unable to use other devices correctly.

Patient perspectives on fluticasone–vilanterol versus other corticosteroid combination products for the treatment of asthma

Objective Fluticasone furoate (FF), an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), and vilanterol (VI), a long-acting beta2 receptor agonist (LABA), is a new combination used in an Ellipta® device. This article compares FF–VI to other ICS–LABA combinations available, particularly emphasizing product selection from the patient perspective. Data sources A PubMED and EMBASE search completed in October 2015 identified trials using the MeSH terms “fluticasone”, “vilanterol”, and “asthma”. Additional information was gathered from references cited in the identified publications, the manufacturer, package insert, and ClinicalTrials.gov registry. Study selection/data extraction Preference was given to randomized controlled clinical trials. Animal trials, trials for COPD, and non-English sources were excluded. Data synthesis Seven efficacy trials of FF–VI in asthma were identified. Only one (24 weeks) trial compared FF–VI to another ICS–LABA combination (fluticasone propionate–salmeterol). Primary outcomes (usually lung function) and secondary outcomes (eg, quality of life and symptom scores) were comparable. In three FF–VI safety trials, the type and frequency of common adverse reactions (ie, thrush and dysphonia) were similar to those in clinical trials. Over 90% of subjects rated the Ellipta® device as “easy to use” and demonstrated correct device technique initially and at 4 weeks. Conclusion Individuals may have drug- and device-specific preferences that should be incorporated into therapeutic decision making. Limited data indicate that clinical and patient-oriented efficacy/safety outcomes of FF–VI are likely comparable to other available combinations for adults with asthma. Patient-friendly features include once-daily dosing, flexibility of dose timing, and design/ease of the use of the device. Additional larger and long-term comparative studies are needed to determine whether these features translate into greater efficacy, safety, patient preference, or adherence versus other ICS–LABA combinations. In the next few years, the availability of less expensive generic ICS–LABA products may strongly influence patient preference.

Community pharmacy-based asthma services: current perspectives and future directions

License. The full terms of the License are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. Permissions beyond the scope of the License are administered by Dove Medical Press Limited. Information on how to request permission may be found at: http://www.dovepress.com/permissions.php Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice 2014:3 49–70 Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice Dovepress

Design and Validation of Patient-Centered Communication Tools (PaCT) to Measure Students' Communication Skills

Objective. To develop a comprehensive instrument specific to student pharmacist-patient communication skills, and to determine face, content, construct, concurrent, and predictive validity and reliability of the instrument. Methods. A multi-step approach was used to create and validate an instrument, including the use of external experts for face and content validity, students for construct validity, comparisons to other rubrics for concurrent validity, comparisons to other coursework for predictive validity, and extensive reliability and inter-rater reliability testing with trained faculty assessors. Results. Patient-centered Communication Tools (PaCT) achieved face and content validity and performed well with multiple correlation tests with significant findings for reliability testing and when compared to an alternate rubric. Conclusion. PaCT is a useful instrument for assessing student pharmacist communication skills with patients.

Fluticasone-formoterol: a systematic review of its potential role in the treatment of asthma

Background The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize and evaluate the available published data regarding the efficacy and safety of a combination product containing fluticasone propionate/formoterol (FP-F) in order to establish its potential role compared with other inhaled combination corticosteroid/long-acting beta2 receptor agonists for the maintenance treatment of asthma. Methods A PubMed and EMBASE search was conducted using the terms “fluticasone propionate”, “formoterol fumarate”, “Flutiform®”, and “asthma” in July 2014 to identify trials using this combination specifically for the treatment of asthma. Additional information was gathered from references cited in the identified publications, the package insert, and the ClinicalTrials. gov registry. All randomized controlled clinical trials for humans in asthma were evaluated for inclusion. Data from animal trials, clinical trials for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and non-English sources were excluded. Results Seven short-term safety and efficacy trials of FP-F compared with its individual components and two comparison trials of FP-F versus other combination products were identified. Generally, the incidence of drug-related adverse events was low and consistent with previously reported drug class-related adverse events (ie, pharyngitis, dysphonia, and headache). The combination of FP-F was shown to be noninferior to fluticasone propionate/salmeterol for improving predose forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) and 2 hours post dose FEV1. FP-F was also noninferior to budesonide/formoterol in improving predose FEV1. Other clinical endpoints, including various symptom scores, asthma control, quality of life, and subjects’ assessment of the medications were not significantly different. Conclusion Poor asthma control is common. The data from short-term studies indicate that this inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta2 receptor agonist combination product is non-inferior to similar combination products available. As FP-F is available in different strengths, the corticosteroid dose can be titrated without changing devices. A potential advantage is that those with good technique, the same type of device could be used for both their controller and rapid relief inhaler medicines. The choice of this combination versus other similar products may be based primarily on cost.