CASE STUDY

-ASTHMA-
CLINICAL PHARMACY II
PCL 20303
B.PHARM/SPH/MSU - 2018
INSTRUCTION Discuss the case and provide answer!
Case Study Miss GN is a 19-year-old young woman
who is currently studying for a degree in
English at the local university.
She was diagnosed with asthma when she
was 7-years-old and her regular
prescription is for Salbutamol pMDI 200
micrograms when required.
 What is asthma?
Case Study
What are the most common signs and
symptoms of asthma?
How is a diagnosis made?
What non-pharmacological treatment
options are available?
What is the first-line pharmacological
treatment in asthma?
Case Study Miss GN came to the pharmacy to collect
her third prescription for a salbutamol
pMDI in 4weeks. The pharmacist asked to
speak to her and discovered that she was
currently using her inhaler five to six times
a day. Miss GN was referred to her GP and
returned a few days later with a for
beclomethasone 200 micrograms twice
daily, via a spacer.
Case Study When is it appropriate to start treatment
with inhaled corticosteroid?
What is a pMDI and what are the benefits
of using a spacer?
 Miss GN continued to collect her prescription for
salbutamol and beclomethasone, but after a few
Case Study months she complained that she was still using her
salbutamol up to four times a week and was
waking at night. She also found it difficult to carry
the spacer and two inhalers around with her,
meaning that sometimes she missed doses. The
pharmacist suggests seeing her GP again for a
review. Miss GN subsequently presented with a
prescription for budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort
100/6 Turbohaler), two puffs twice daily and one
puff when required (SMART regimen: single inhaler
maintenance and reliever therapy).
Case Study What issue may affect adherence with asthma
treatments, particularly in Miss GN’s case?
Case Study Miss GN asks you whether she might be able to
reduce her inhalers in the future.
Case Study When should inhaler therapy be stepped
down?
END OF CASE SCENARIO