Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the general name for a collection of diseases that affect the lungs, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease. The lungs of people with COPD become inflamed due to irritation (usually caused by cigarette smoke), and this obstructs airflow, causing breathing difficulties and symptoms such as:

• Increasing breathlessness when active
• A persistent cough with phlegm
• Frequent chest infections
• Wheezing.

The importance of COPD

COPD is currently the fifth leading cause of death worldwide and is set to become the third by 2030. The numbers of COPD hospital admissions have increased by 50 per cent over the last 10 years and now account for around 10 per cent of all medication admissions (the second most common cause). These admissions account for over a million bed days.

Supporting COPD patients

There are around 835,000 patients in the UK currently diagnosed with COPD, which means an average pharmacy will have approximately 60 patients to support with medicines. 

The patient's correct use and compliance with their treatment plan is an important factor in reducing exacerbations, hospitalisations and improving morbidity and mortality. The new medicine service (NMS) and the medicines use review (MUR) are exceptionally well placed to support COPD patients with their medicines, and essential pharmacy services such as promoting public health can help to raise awareness among the high numbers of undiagnosed sufferers. 

Pharmacies are also well placed to provide the single most effective health intervention €“ smoking cessation, which can reduce the rate of decline and improve survival.