Improve Respiratory Outcomes with OptimiseRx

Asthma is one of the most treatable long-term conditions, yet every day in the UK four people die and thousands are admitted to hospital because of life-threatening asthma attacks. Research shows that nearly 70% of people aren’t receiving all aspects of basic asthma care, such as annual reviews, inhaler technique checks, and personalised action plans.

A key factor linked to these outcomes is the overuse of short-acting beta agonist (SABA) inhalers. While these “reliever” inhalers are vital for managing acute symptoms, over-reliance on SABA inhalers is associated with an increased risk of exacerbations and mortality. 

Supporting prescribers to identify and review patterns of overuse is crucial for improving outcomes — and that’s exactly what the latest development within OptimiseRx aims to do.

Making It Easier to Spot and Support Patients at Risk

Through brand-new advanced precision technology, OptimiseRx automatically tracks how many SABA inhalers a patient has been prescribed. When certain thresholds are reached, OptimiseRx displays a prompt recommending a review and consideration of an AIR or MART regimen using an ICS/formoterol inhaler.

These messages are aligned with asthma guidance and trigger only when the relevant clinical thresholds are met, helping ensure prescribers receive fewer, more meaningful alerts.

Supporting Clinical Decision-Making and Better Outcomes

Through these alerts, prescribers can now identify patients at risk of poorly controlled asthma early and encourage timely treatment reviews. 

It also makes it easier than ever for practices to align with national priorities, such as National Medicines Optimisation Opportunities and recent MHRA drug safety guidance, while promoting safer, more effective prescribing practices.

Reducing Environmental and Financial Waste

We also know that poor disease control can often lead to increased costs and wasted healthcare resources downstream. Studies show that up to 30 - 40% of SABA inhalers prescribed are not used before their expiry date, with repeat prescriptions often issued automatically when the patient still has several at home, leading to stockpiling. 

What’s more, over-reliance on SABA inhalers and the associated risk of exacerbations can lead to unplanned hospital admissions and significant costs to the system.

By equipping prescribers with timely, actionable insights, OptimiseRx helps ensure each prescription contributes to better control, fewer exacerbations, less waste and safer outcomes for every patient. 

If you’d like to know more about how OptimiseRx can support your organisation to improve outcomes across respiratory care, please get in touch: contact@fdbhealth.com