Carrying out an MUR or NMS on COPD patients provides an ideal opportunity to make sure they understand their condition and check adherence with treatment.

It is also an opportunity to ensure patients are using their inhaler correctly and reinforce the importance of good nutrition in COPD.

Medicines Use Reviews (MURs): Since April 2015 pharmacists in England and Wales have had to ensure that at least 70% of their MURs fall into one or more of the specified targeted groups – one of which is respiratory medicines.

New Medicine Service (NMS): This provides support for people with long-term conditions who have been newly prescribed a medicine. The aim is to improve medicine adherence. Four conditions/therapy areas were selected to be included in the initial rollout of the service, one of these being asthma/COPD.