In order to educate the public about the differences among asthma inhalers, the Suffolk County Legislature passed a local law (Resolution 416-2020) directing all stores that contain a pharmacy in Suffolk County to post signs that provide asthma patients with necessary information on the proper use of inhalers.

Approximately 50 percent of adults with asthma and 40 percent of children with asthma do not have control of their disease. Pharmacists play a critical role in promoting medication adherence and providing asthma self-management education to patients with asthma. Many studies have shown that asthma self-management education provided by community pharmacists can improve asthma control and medication adherence while reducing emergency department visits, hospitalizations and missed work or school days.

The sign required under this law:

• Must be posted in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole;
• Must be protected from tampering, damage, removal or concealment.
• Must be displayed within eight feet of the pharmacy portion of the store, either on the wall or displayed on the pharmacy counter.
• Signs are available here:
  • English: Know the difference between your asthma medications
  • Spanish: Conozca la diferencia entre sus medicamentos para el asma
  • Haitian Creole: Konnen Diferans pami pedikaman pou Opresyono yo