[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

COPD represents an underestimated and underdiagnosed disease with an enormous socioeconomic impact. Cigarette smoking is the main risk factor for the development of COPD. For this reason, prevention and smoking cessation form the mainstays of COPD therapy. During the last years, huge progress has been made in the understanding of the underlying pathophysiological processes and in the development of new therapeutic interventions that are different from that used in Asthma bronchiale. Long acting bronchodilators are the basis of COPD maintenance treatment. Besides the improvement in lung function they reduce dyspnoea and improve exercise tolerance and quality of life. However, in addition to pharmacological therapy intensive pharmaceutical care is crucial for COPD patients. Thus, pharmacists can contribute significantly to a successful management of the widespread disease COPD.