More than 80 practicing pharmacists and physiotherapists from all over Ireland are attended a study day focused on enhancing collaborative practice between the two professions held at RCSI on St Stephen's Green on Friday, 3 February.

This educational initiative was hosted by the RCSI School of Pharmacy in collaboration with the School of Physiotherapy will target two healthcare professionals involved in the management of patients with CRD, with an aim of improving patients adherence to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments prescribed.

More than 600 million people worldwide suffer from chronic respiratory disease (CRD) leading to an estimated 4.2 million deaths annually. CRD, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and bronchiectasis, are major causes of morbidity, mortality and cost to healthcare service providers globally.

Adherence is reported to be as low as one third in patients with chronic diseases, with up to 50% of these patients not realising they are non-adherent. Due to its complexity, it is challenging for healthcare professionals to identify poor patient adherence, and likewise, it is difficult to determine how to approach patients who are suspected of poor adherence in a non-judgemental, professional manner, ensuring the healthcare professional patient relationship is not jeopardised.

Some of the speakers on the day included, Mr Patrick Karikari, Medicines Optimisation Pharmacist, NHS City and Hackney CCG and NHS Tower Hamlets CCG; Ms Claire Egan, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, Beaumont Hospital; Prof. Richard Costello, Associate Professor of Medicines, RCSI and Respiratory Consultant, Beaumont Hospital and Ms Maureen O' Sullivan, Research Pharmacist, Queen's University Belfast.