Patient’s Opinions and Expectations on the Role of Pharmacists in Asthma Management in North Macedonia

This research investigated how asthma patients in North Macedonia perceive pharmacist involvement and education on inhaler use. Between July and September 2024, a cross-sectional survey was conducted at the University Clinic for Pulmonology and Allergology in Skopje, enrolling 187 adult patients with asthma. Although 69% reported following their prescribed treatment, 13.9% had never received guidance on inhaler use, and only 27.3% had received instructions from a pharmacist. Nearly all participants (96.3%) were interested in medication counseling from pharmacists, yet fewer than half (48.7%) were willing to engage in pharmacist-led inhaler training. Patient adherence was significantly linked to both gender (p = 0.040) and prior inhaler education. The findings highlight a gap in patient recognition of pharmacists’ clinical contributions, suggesting that expanding pharmacist-driven training in community settings and strengthening collaboration with physicians could enhance asthma care and improve healthcare efficiency.