What’s Inside:
- Our Respirator Educator Pharmacist offers extra COPD support at no cost
- Inhaler technique has a big impact on health outcomes
- Complementary care includes executing your treatment plan, identifying drug interactions, managing environmental triggers and building action plans to prevent an emergency
If you’re living with asthma or COPD, you already know that managing your condition takes more than just taking your medication.
- It’s knowing which inhaler to use and when
- It’s understanding what your triggers are and how to avoid them
- It’s having a plan for when symptoms flare up — and knowing when to seek emergency care
For many people, that level of support is hard to find. Specialist wait times are long. Family doctor appointments are short. And the pharmacy visit where you pick up your prescription rarely includes time to talk.
The Medicine Shoppe in Kitchener has a Respiratory Educator Pharmacist who can help.
What’s the difference between asthma and COPD?
Both conditions narrow the airways and cause breathing difficulty, but they differ in cause, reversibility, and management.
Asthma is typically triggered by allergens or irritants and the airway narrowing is usually reversible with medication. COPD — which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema — is most commonly caused by long-term smoking or exposure to lung irritants, and the airway damage is not reversible.
Some people have both conditions simultaneously. If you’re unsure which applies to you, your pharmacist can help clarify your diagnosis and what it means for your treatment plan.
Can a pharmacist help with my COPD?
Yes — and in ways that go beyond your prescription.
A pharmacist with respiratory training can assess whether you’re using your inhaler correctly, review all your medications for interactions, help you build an action plan for managing flare-ups, and advise on recommended vaccines for people with COPD.
Because pharmacists see patients more frequently than most specialists, they’re often the most accessible point of contact for ongoing respiratory support.
Who Would Benefit From a Respiratory Pharmacy Consultation?
- People newly diagnosed with asthma or COPD who want to understand their condition and their medications
- Patients whose symptoms aren’t well controlled despite taking their medication as prescribed
- Anyone who has never had their inhaler technique formally assessed
- People managing multiple respiratory medications who want to make sure they’re using each one correctly
- Caregivers supporting a family member with a chronic respiratory condition
What Does a Respiratory Consultation Cover?
A one-on-one consultation with our respiratory educator pharmacist covers:
- A review of all your respiratory medications — what each one does and how it fits into your overall management plan
- A hands-on inhaler technique assessment for each device you use
- A discussion of your triggers and how to manage them
- An action plan for what to do when your symptoms change
- Guidance on when to call your doctor and when to seek emergency care
How Is This Different from What My Doctor Provides?
Your physician diagnoses your condition and prescribes your treatment.
A respiratory educator pharmacist helps you execute that treatment plan effectively — and is available far more frequently and with far less wait time than a specialist appointment.
Your pharmacist also knows your complete medication profile. If you’re taking medications for other conditions that could interact with your respiratory drugs, or if something in your regimen could be contributing to your symptoms, Bryan can identify it.
Does Insurance Cover Respiratory Pharmacy Consultations?
No insurance needed — there’s no cost for a respiratory consultation.
Am I Using My Inhaler Correctly?
Studies consistently show that a significant proportion of patients — estimates range from 50% to 90% depending on the device — use their inhaler incorrectly.
This isn’t a matter of not paying attention.
Different inhalers require different techniques, and even small errors in timing, breath control, or device handling can significantly reduce the amount of medication that actually reaches your lungs.
A hands-on inhaler technique assessment takes about 15 minutes and can make a measurable difference in how well your medication works.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need a referral to see a respiratory educator pharmacist?
No. You can walk in or call to book a consultation directly. No referral required.
2. Can a pharmacist adjust my inhaler prescription?
Pharmacists are allowed to change doses, but only your doctor can initiate a new medication or switch from one med to another.
3. What should I bring to a respiratory consultation?
Bring all of your inhalers and any other respiratory medications you’re currently using, including any over-the-counter products. If you have a written asthma or COPD action plan from your doctor, bring that too.
4. Can a pharmacist prescribe for an asthma flare in Ontario?
Not currently. Ontario pharmacists can prescribe for a range of minor ailments, but acute asthma flares are not on that list — they require physician assessment.
If you’re experiencing a flare, contact your doctor or go to urgent care.
What your pharmacist can do is make sure your maintenance medications are optimized so flares happen less often, ensure your rescue inhaler technique is correct, and help you recognize early warning signs so you seek care before a flare becomes an emergency.
We can also collaborate with patients and physicians to create a management plan, so when things go wrong plans are already in place, avoiding trips to the Emergency Room.
If you’re living with asthma or COPD — or supporting someone who is — a respiratory consultation with Bryan can make a real difference in day-to-day control.
No referral needed. Just ask to speak with him next time you’re in.