ALLERGIC rhinitis (AR) affects between 10%–30% of adults globally, significantly impacting quality of life, productivity, and health care resources. As a frequent comorbidity of asthma, AR exacerbates respiratory symptoms and increases medical visits. Despite pharmacists’ proven effectiveness in AR management through education, medication advice, and support, their role remains underutilised, especially in public health systems lacking standardised care frameworks.
Recognising this gap, researchers developed the AR-PRISE (Pharmacist-Led Education Intervention) model to improve AR care within public health institutions. Unlike community pharmacies in the private sector that follow established ARIA guidelines, public sector pharmacies often lack structured support. AR-PRISE offers a solution by incorporating audiovisual education and pharmacist counselling into a collaborative, patient-centred framework.
The study found that patients receiving the AR-PRISE intervention experienced significant improvements in symptom control, particularly over the longer term. Those in the intervention group had higher odds of achieving mild AR compared with the control group, supporting the model’s focus on sustainable disease management. The intervention also lowered the risk of poor symptom scores and progression to more severe AR, likely due to its emphasis on correct intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) use and patient education.
However, the study found no significant improvement in medication adherence or knowledge retention, suggesting that education alone is insufficient. Researchers noted that the educational video, while accessible throughout follow-up, lacked reinforcement mechanisms. Future enhancements may include follow-up sessions and broader knowledge assessments to better measure behavioural change.
While AR-PRISE demonstrates clear clinical benefits, its long-term sustainability is uncertain. Behavioural drift over time may diminish its impact, warranting the inclusion of booster sessions and multicomponent adherence strategies. Integrating the World Health Organization’s Multidimensional Adherence Model could strengthen future versions by addressing wider determinants of medication adherence.
Overall, AR-PRISE highlights pharmacists’ untapped potential in managing chronic conditions like allergic rhinitis, offering a promising path towards more effective, collaborative care in public health settings.
Reference
Chew CC et al. Pharmacist-led education intervention for adults with allergic rhinitis: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(7):e2517160.
