Analysis of the demand for the pharmaceutical care services for patients with asthma intending to achieve a rational use of medicines in Lithuania

„Today’s change in pharmaceutical practice is best defined by the concept of pharmaceutical care. In Europe, the activity of pharmacies is still focused on product logistics services, which limit the role of the pharmacist to the choice of a specific medicine and dose, however, individual countries are making progress at national level in introducing specific pharmaceutical services that meet patients' needs. The aim of work: to assess the need for a pharmaceutical care service for adult patients with asthma in Lithuania and the potential health benefits of these services for the rational use of medications prescribed by a physician. In this scientific work, the implementation of the model of pharmaceutical care service for asthma patients in the current practice of pharmacists was developed and allowing to increase the rational use of medicines for patients. The methodology of the service was developed with the help of 8 pharmacy practitioners and based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization. A quantitative study, which has been conducted in 21 Lithuanian pharmacies, showed the most common mistakes made by patients in the treatment process, allowed to estimate the cost of providing the service, to measure the effect of the service on disease control.“ The aim of the study To evaluate the need for a pharmaceutical care service for asthma patients in Lithuania and the potential benefits of these services for the patient's health in order to rational use of medicines prescribed by a doctor. The objectives of the study: 1. To develop a methodology for the implementation of pharmaceutical care services for asthma patients, applicable to the Lithuanian national health system. 2. To investigate the need for a pharmaceutical care service for asthma patients in groups of patients using different inhaler types. 3. To develop a model of pharmaceutical care taking into account the interests of patients, pharmacies and the state as the main organizing entity of health care and to evaluate its suitability for the rational use of medicines in the treatment of asthma. 4. To evaluate the costs of pharmacyrelated pharmacy care services for patients with asthma in the context of their payback. Scientific novelty: global research shows that the pharmacist`s potential in the patients’ care chain is not fulfilled. The extended pharmaceutical services to the asthma patients applied to the Lithuanian pharmacies, competencies of pharmacists that ensure a promotion of a versatile rational medicine use for the first time