Clement Clarke International has launched a hand-held device for identifying the most appropriate inhaler for patients. In-Check Dial measures inhaler technique by simulating the resistance of different inhalers.
The device allows a comparison to be made between the inspiratory flow rate achieved by the patient and the optimum recommended measurement. Different inhalers can be selected by turning a dial attached to the device which has been designed to mimic the internal resistance of five different inhaler devices. Clement Clarke says that the In-Check Dial also helps to identify whether the patient is using their inhaler device correctly. Commenting on the device, Professor Henry Chrystyn (professor of clinical pharmacy, University of Bradford) told The Journal: "For deciding which inhaler to use, it is an excellent device." He said that it was a simple meter which identified whether a patient could use a selected inhaler without any prior counselling. The patient was then given the appropriate placebo inhaler and if they could prepare the dose and were still able to use it without any counselling, then that was the one to be used. Professor Chrystyn said that a study was currently taking place in a community pharmacy looking at the accuracy of the device.
Dr Mark Levy (general practitioner and member of the GP in Asthma Group) told The Journal that he used the In-Check Dial in his surgery and had found it to be useful.
"It is certainly the only one of its kind to test each of the devices on the market," he said.
In-Check Dial is available to health care professionals (net price, £22.50). Clement Clarke International said that the device was designed to be used by pharmacists with a specialist interest in respiratory medicine as well as asthma nurses, general practitioners and respiratory specialists.

The In-Check Dial mimics inhalers so that the most appropriate one can be chosen