Assessing adherence and improving inhaler technique, together with correct and optimal treatment in line with disease severity, will help with improving respiratory symptoms, slow lung function decline and reduce the risk of exacerbations. 

NICE and also GOLD agree that non-pharmacological approaches are also key to successful COPD management and list three priorities:

• Treating tobacco dependence
• Patients staying active regardless of the severity of their COPD
• Patients getting the key vaccines. 

Treating tobacco dependence

Very brief advice (VBA) on smoking cessation is the key intervention community pharmacy teams can make. Approximately 40 per cent of people currently diagnosed with COPD are smokers. 

Opportunities to use VBA include when: 

• Someone collects a prescription for inhalers
• Conducting a NMS intervention
• Offering an influenza, pneumococcal or Covid-19 vaccine
• Somebody is asking for OTC cough mixtures.