RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Importance of inhalation device in asthma and COPD: A consensus using Delphi JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 360 VO 42 IS Suppl 57 A1 Vincent Ninane A1 Guy Brusselle A1 Renaud Louis A1 Lieven Dupont A1 Giuseppe Liistro A1 Wilfried De Backer A1 Marc Shlesser A1 Walter Vincken YR 2013 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/360.abstract AB Asthma and COPD treatment guidelines give little recommendations regarding the use of inhalation devices (ID).We performed a Delphi survey addressing the choice and interchangeability of ID, the patients’ training and the role of cost in ID selection.A 13-items internet-based and self-administered questionnaire was developed and validated. Statistics included median and interquartile range.50 experts in asthma and COPD participated. The level of consensus was good (G) or very good (VG) for nearly all questions after two rounds. The choice of the ID was judged as important as the active drug (VG) and should be driven by ease of use (G to VG) and teaching (VG). Other significant recommendations were oral rather than written instructions (G), systematic monitoring, predominant educational role of chest physicians and paramedics, discouraged interchangeability of ID (G), no switch without medical consultation nor by the pharmacist (VG). The cost of the ID was less important in ID selection (G) and switching by the pharmacist for cost reasons was considered unacceptable (VG).In conclusion, the present study confirms that the ID is equally important as the active substance when selecting therapy and underscores the central place of training and monitoring.