A report released today by the Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare suggests that some asthma medications are not being
used in the optimal way by most people.
'Most people who use inhaled corticosteroids, use them
intermittently even though it is recommended that these drugs be
taken regularly by those who need them,' said Dr Guy Marks, of the
Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring.
The study found that short-acting reliever drugs (such as
VentolinTM and BricanylTM ) were also used
occasionally by most people.
'In this case however, the pattern of occasional use indicates
these drugs are being used appropriately since they should not be
needed regularly if symptoms are under control,' he said.
Although asthma is as common in remote areas as it is in cities,
the report showed that people living in remote areas use asthma
medications less than people living in cities.
It also found that people with concession cards, who are able to
buy medications at a cheaper rate, used more inhaled
corticosteroids than those without a concession card.
'This implies that the full price charged to general patients
for inhaled corticosteroids may be a barrier to their regular use,'
Dr Marks said.
The report, Patterns of asthma medication use in
Australia, is the first to use data from the Pharmaceutical
Benefits Scheme (PBS) database.
While there are some limitations to the information in the PBS
data - for example, not all medications used for the treatment of
asthma are recorded, and some short-acting reliever drugs, like
VentolinTM can be bought without a prescription - the
PBS data still provides a valuable source of information about
medication use in Australia.
Drug therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for controlling
asthma and preventing and relieving attacks. It is important that
the medications are used in the appropriate manner and this varies
with the type of medication.
The Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring is a collaborating
unit of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, based at
the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in Sydney and funded by
the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing through
the National Asthma Management Program.
9 May 2007
Further information: Dr Guy Marks, ACAM, tel.
0419 251 565
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 61 2 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability of Patterns of asthma
medication use in Australia.