Pharmaceutical Care for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Study.

Pharmaceutical Care for COPD Study

This study would like to test the hypothesis that a pharmaceutical care intervention would result in an improved drug adherence and inhalation technique in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients over a 3 month-period.

Effective pharmacologic management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) not only involves prescription of recommended medicines by the physician, but also implies correct use of the prescribed medication by the patient (ie, good drug adherence and correct inhalation technique). Community pharmacists could help to improve the latter aspect, by delivering pharmaceutical care. The present randomised controlled trial will study the hypothesis that a pharmaceutical care intervention would result in an improved drug adherence and inhalation technique in COPD patients over a 3 month-period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• daily use of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)-medication: (Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease: GOLD stadia I-IV)
• 50 years of age or older
• smoking history of at least 10 pack-years

Exclusion Criteria:

• having asthma
• analphabetism