BOEHRINGER Ingelheim (BI)has welcomed the Federal Government's announcement that the first new class of inhaled medicine approved for the treatment of adult asthma in the past ten years will be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme effective 01 Feb (PD 19 Dec 16).
Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium bromide, 5mcg once daily) is indicated for add-on therapy for adult patients with severe asthma who remain symptomatic while receiving optimised asthma therapy of inhaled corticosteroids alongside a long-acting beta agonist (ICS / LABA combination therapy).
More than 2.3 million Australians have asthma and as many as 45% experience uncontrolled asthma symptoms.
Approximately 20% of Australians with asthma remain symptomatic despite good adherence to existing therapy, BI said.
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