Pharmac change overdue and very welcome for asthma

Media Statement
Thursday 20 October 2005
Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand (Inc.)

Pharmac change overdue and very welcome for asthma

Wider access to salmeterol will mean that people with asthma will finally be getting access to appropriate treatment, according to Professor Ian Town, Medical Director of the Asthma & Respiratory Foundation.

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation is delighted with the change in access to salmeterol (Serevent) which is in line with the current New Zealand guidelines for asthma management.

“The Foundation has been advocating for improved access for over five years. This will enable better asthma control for a large number of people and we anticipate that it will improve quality of life and reduce the frequency and severity of exacerbations” said Professor Town.

“Previously, some people were taking unnecessarily high doses of inhaled corticosteroids in order to meet the access criteria for this medication” he added.

Long acting beta agonists (LABAs) are taken on a regular basis and help control symptoms in people with moderate to severe asthma.

ENDS

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