AstraZeneca welcomes the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Final Appraisal Determination on the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in adults and children aged 12 years and over for the treatment of chronic asthma[i]. The Committees' final guidance provides positive endorsement for the use of a combination inhaler device for people with asthma where treatment with an ICS and LABA is considered appropriate1 (step 3 of the BTS/SIGN Guidelines[ii]).

It is estimated that as many as 5.2 million people1,3 in the UK suffer from asthma, which makes asthma one of the most common chronic diseases in the UK, with prevalence increasing every year. Asthma accounts for over 1,300 deaths per year, equating to four people per day or one person every seven hours[iii].

The recommendations provide a favourable outcome for asthma sufferers in the UK, suitable for combination inhalers.

The NICE determination reinforces the importance of involving patients in the management of their asthma and advocates the use of personal asthma action plans1. This is consistent with the evidence that patient-centred care increases adherence to management protocols, reduces morbidity and improves outcomes[iv].

NICE concluded in their evaluation that "the combination product is almost always cheaper than taking the same drugs in separate devices1" and also acknowledged the potential gains in treatment adherence with combination inhalers1.

The full guidance can be found here.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in research, development, manufacturing and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and supplier for healthcare services. AstraZeneca is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of US $29.55 billion and is a leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection product sales. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index. astrazeneca

References:

[i] Corticosteroids for the treatment of chronic asthma in adults and children aged 12 years and over. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. March 2008. Final Appraisal Determination.

[ii] BTS/SIGN. British Guideline on the Management of Asthma: A National Clinical Guideline. British Thoracic Society / Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. 2005. online revised edition brit-thoracic/ 8 Feb 2008

[iii] Asthma UK 31 March 31, 2008

[iv] Bauman AE, Fardy HJ, Harris PG. Getting it right: Why bother with patient-centred care? MJA 2003; 179(5): 253-256).

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