The first priority for the pharmacy team is to get used to identifying frequent users of SABA in asthma – a risk factor that can sometimes only be spotted by community pharmacy professionals. Other risk factors of poorly managed asthma that can also be spotted include:

• Prescribed course(s) of oral steroids
• Poor adherence to preventer treatment in PMRs
• Poor inhaler technique during NMS/MUR
• The prescribing of unfamiliar inhaler devices – it is important inhalers are prescribed by brand so the same device is issued every time
• A spacer not being prescribed or used (if applicable)
• No sign of a PAAP or the PAAP not updated
• Patient presenting with symptoms despite being on treatment
• Patient not being seen by the GP practice soon after an asthma attack or following hospital discharge
• Spotting signs of potential differential diagnosis, or multi-morbidity.