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Posted 8 September 2023 AM
A $50 million market may be under threat as new guidelines tell pharmacists to support patients to move from treating asthma to preventing it.
The treatment guidelines for GSK's Ventolin and its generic competitors, as well as AstraZeneca's Bricanyl, both used in the treatment of asthma, have been updated.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia brought out the update to correspond with National Asthma Awareness Week, and they reflect the new Professional Practice Standards. The new guidelines include updated information about over reliance on short-acting beta2-agonists (SABA), which in Australia comprise Ventolin and Bricanyl.
"Around 2.7 million or 11 per cent of Australians suffer from asthma, with PBS data indicating a growing reliance on relievers as treatment," PSA National President, Dr Fei Sim, said. As pharmacists' role expands, they have an important part to play in encouraging patients away from relievers and towards preventers.
"Over-reliance on SABA relievers can increase the risk of severe asthma flare-ups and reduce the effectiveness of emergency treatments," Sim said. "The updated treatment guidelines support pharmacists to identify when it is appropriate to supply reliever inhalers to patients, and when their asthma may not be appropriately controlled.
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"The guidelines also reinforce the importance of checking asthma symptom control, adherence, and inhaler technique at every opportunity."
Ventolin and its generics earned $51.8 million in pre-rebate reimbursements on the R/PBS in the financial year ending June 2023, from 2.79 million services. Bricanyl brought in $1.25 million, from 55,147 services.
"We all have a role to play to encourage patients requesting SABA relievers to visit their medical practitioner to review their condition and make sure that they are receiving appropriate long-term care," Sim said.
There are several preventer medicines listed on the Asthma Australia webpage, Chiesi's Trimbow being reimbursed the most on the R/PBS, earning $9.5 million in the financial year ending June 2023, despite only being listed on 1 January this year. GSK's Flixotide and its generics earned $7.1 million.
James Quintana Pearce
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