The Burden of Rhinitis and the Impact of Medication Management within the Community Pharmacy Setting

Background: The burden of rhinitis is high. It is unknown to what extent this burden is related to inappropriate medication use.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the way in which people with rhinitis medicate their condition and to evaluate the appropriateness of this medication management.

Methods: Pharmacy customers who visited Sydney metropolitan community pharmacies and purchased medication for nasal symptoms were the sampling frame for this study. To determine the condition for which the participants were seeking medication and the appropriateness of their medication selection, the following data were collected with a researcher-administered questionnaire: participant's demographics, symptoms, medication selected. An expert panel of clinical researcher pharmacists and specialist respiratory physician evaluated the appropriateness of medication selection based on the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma international guidelines.

Results: Two hundred and ninety-six participants were recruited from 8 pharmacies; 63.2% had a doctor's diagnosis for the symptoms for which they were selecting treatment. Seventy percent of participants self-selected their medications. Seventy-one percent of the participants were identified as having rhinitis. Overall, 16.5% of participants who had rhinitis selected optimal medications. Sixteen percent of participants with allergic rhinitis reported wheezing (6.3% selected optimal medications).

Conclusions: The majority of the participants with rhinitis selected suboptimal medications from community pharmacy highlighting the significant burden of rhinitis in community pharmacy and the contribution of medication management. Pharmacists need to take a proactive and evidence-based role in the management of rhinitis supported by clinical pathways when need to be articulated and promoted in all rhinitis guidelines.