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NEWS RELEASE The ST. LOUIS REGIONAL ASTHMA CONSORTIUM INTRODUCES ITS ASTHMA FRIENDLY PHARMACIES ST. LOUIS, MO, January 3, 2005 - The St. Louis Regional Asthma Consortium, through the Controlling Asthma in St. Louis grant (CASL) from the Center for Disease Control and in conjunction with St. Louis College of Pharmacy, is pleased to announce the launch of its Asthma Friendly Pharmacies (AFP). In response to the high rate of asthma in the St. Louis region, Asthma Friendly Pharmacies have been established to provide additional education and services for people living with asthma. Pharmacists in AFPs are specially trained to teach the proper use, possible side effects, and most effective management of asthma medications. Asthma Friendly Pharmacists also act as a direct link to other health care professionals, such as primary care physicians, working to ensure better asthma management for their patients. The pharmacists and staff at Asthma Friendly Pharmacies are committed to helping individuals and their families effectively use medications to breathe better and manage asthma. Asthma Friendly Pharmacists receive additional training in how to identify potential problems as asthma medications are dispensed. Once these problems are identified, Asthma Friendly Pharmacists work with physicians to resolve any issues. In addition, Asthma Friendly Pharmacists provide information to patients when they pick up their prescriptions about how to optimally use asthma medications. As a person affected by asthma, you will find that the pharmacist at an Asthma Friendly Pharmacy can help you learn many of the things you need to know about your asthma medications. For example: What are the differences between controller and relief medications? When should I use each? How do I use asthma devices so that the medications reach my lungs? How can I avoid side effects of my medications? By understanding asthma medications better, you can get the most benefit from your medicines, helping you to feel better and do the things you want to do! Look for the Asthma Friendly Pharmacy logo. If you are a health care professional, you will find that the pharmacist can assist you in caring for your patients with asthma and ensuring optimal medication use. Asthma Friendly Pharmacists can alert you when the high use of short-acting beta agonists by a patient may indicate that their asthma is poorly controlled, or if a patient is not refilling a controller medication that you prescribed. Asthma Friendly Pharmacists can also reinforce educational messages provided by you or your office staff, for example how to use inhalers and other asthma devices or the importance of following an asthma care plan. Asthma Friendly Pharmacies are currently located in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Jefferson County, St. Charles County and Illinois at the Family Care Health Center Pharmacy and at participating Connect Care clinics, Schnucks Pharmacies, Walgreens Pharmacies and Shop-n-Save Pharmacies. A list of current Asthma Friendly Pharmacies is provided, with more pharmacies to be added soon. The St. Louis Regional Asthma Consortium was formed to improve the health and quality of life of people living with asthma. The Consortium consists of key health care professionals and other community leaders who deal with asthma concerns. For more information on the St. Louis Regional Asthma Consortium, call 314/977-4006 or visit www.asthma-stlouis.org. Editor's Note: The St. Louis Regional Asthma Consortium is located at 3545 Lafayette, Salus Center, 300 floor, St. Louis, MO 63104 For more information, contact Lucy Reinhart at The St. Louis Regional Asthma Consortium, 314-977-8253 (office) or lreinhart@st.louis.org. |
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