Whanganui pharmacists adopt simple tool for at-risk patients

A simple, cheap, but effective initiative is being rolled out in the Whanganui district to target patients with chronic respiratory illness.

From this week, inhaler spacers are available through pharmacies to all aerosol inhaler users who want them, says Des Healey, pharmacist facilitator at the PHO, the Whanganui Regional Health Network.

The spacers have been made available by the PHO in an ongoing initiative for the district’s 14 pharmacies, he says. This week, each was sent 15 or more spacers, and there’s further stock if pharmacies need more.

Mr Healey says spacers improve the delivery of inhaler medication by up to 60 per cent.

“[It puts people] in a better position if they are challenged with a viral infection,” he says.