Each year, there are approximately 37,000 asthma-related hospitalisations in Australia, and around 80 per cent of these are preventable. The Asthma Control Quiz, a simple, digitised program by TerryWhite Chemmart, is making asthma support from their local pharmacists and GPs more accessible nationwide.
Anyone feeling concerned about their breathing can take the Asthma Control Quiz through the TerryWhite Chemmart website. The results will then be sent to them via SMS and email with a prompt to book an appointment with their GP or respirologist.
In need of a plan
The rollout of the online service launched after Asthma Australia revealed that fewer than a third of asthma sufferers have an Asthma Action Plan in place. This prompted TerryWhite Chemmart to expand its pharmacists’ scope and build a service that encourages patients to act on their asthma health.
Chief Pharmacist Brenton Hart said helping Australians manage their asthma is paramount, especially when overuse of reliever medication in the Australian asthma population is on the rise.
“Our key aim is to support people with asthma to use medication appropriately and get the best possible asthma control,” he said. “Our community pharmacies play a key role in this as they have regular contact with people with asthma who must access medication via pharmacies. They are often are the only health professional that some people with asthma see on a regular basis.”
Patients can also speak with their local TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacist, who can help them to manage their uncontrolled and/or severe asthma through better medication management and lifestyle factors.
Apartnership with Sanofi
The Asthma Control Quiz was developed in partnership with Sanofi, who were awarded Ethical Supplier of the Year at TerryWhite Chemmart’s Supplier of the Year Awards in May.
Head of Medical for Specialty Care at Sanofi, Kasia Siwek said, “This program allows people living with asthma to receive additional support through a simple asthma control self-assessment. We are happy to work with TerryWhite Chemmart to roll out this program for all Australians living with asthma.”
