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Encyclopedia of Pharmacy Practice and

Clinical Pharmacy
2019, Pages 264-281

Management of Respiratory
Disorders and the Pharmacist's
Role: COPD
Johnson George *, † … Jenifer Liang *

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https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-812735-3.00509-4
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Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
is a preventable and treatable chronic lung
disease characterized by persistent respiratory
symptoms and airflow limitation. It is caused
mainly by chronic exposure to inhaled irritants,
especially through tobacco smoking. COPD is
projected to be the 3rd leading cause of death by
2020. More than 3 million people died of COPD
in 2012 accounting for 6% of all deaths globally.
Exacerbations are a major cause of morbidity and
mortality in patients with COPD, with adverse
effects on quality of life and lung function.
Pharmacists have a key role to play in the
prevention, diagnosis, and management of the
disease and symptoms. Short-acting and long-
acting bronchodilators (beta agonists, muscarinic
antagonists) alone or in combination,
antiinflammatory agents (oral and inhaled
corticosteroids), mucolytics and antibiotics (as
required) are central to COPD management.
Vaccination (influenza and pneumococcal),
pulmonary rehabilitation and patient self-
management guided by action plans may reduce
the burden of COPD. Pharmacists can be actively
involved in delivering smoking cessation
interventions, case-finding of COPD (i.e.,
screening of high risk people with symptoms)
using symptom questionnaires and handheld
devices, and rationalize COPD management in
both primary and secondary care settings by
optimizing medicine use by both prescribers and
patients.

Keywords
Bronchodilator; Chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease; COPD; Dyspnea;
Exacerbation; Inflammation; Mucus
hypersecretion; Pharmacist; Pharmacy;
Public health; Pulmonary rehabilitation;
Self-management; Smoking; Spirometry

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