News Release
Asthma control in a puffer that counts
Seretide now funded for asthma patients
Auckland 26th July 2006 – GlaxoSmithKline’s most successful asthma medicine, Seretide™, is now funded in New Zealand.
Seretide (salmeterol/fluticasone) will be subsidised from 1st August. Seretide metered dose inhalers will be introduced
containing a new dose counter that counts down, showing exactly how many doses are left in each canister and leaving no
doubt when patients need to get their next prescription.
Seretide reduces inflammation of the airways using an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) also called a preventer and reduces
constriction of the airways using a long acting beta-agonist (LABA or controller), which reduces constriction of the
airways for up to 12 hours.1
Wellington based respiratory specialist Professor Richard Beasley says he is delighted to see Seretide finally funded
for New Zealanders. “Overseas, Seretide has been a common treatment for patients with moderate or severe asthma for many
years but until now it has not been funded for New Zealand patients. In Australia it has been available since 2000 and
is used by hundreds of thousands of asthma patients.”
“Many patients here are still prescribed relatively high doses of inhaled corticosteroid as a result of previous
restrictions on prescribing other treatments. There is strong clinical evidence showing that adding an LABA like the one
contained in Seretide gives a better outcome for a patient on moderate doses of inhaled steroids than increasing the
dose further.2”
“Combined inhalers have the additional advantage of guaranteeing that patients take both medicines every time they use
their inhaler. This is the best way to ensure the medicines are used safely and effectively and tackles both of the
underlying causes of asthma symptoms,” says Professor Beasley.
Seretide is available in two different strengths to address the degrees of severity of people’s asthma and will be
available in two different delivery devices - a CFC free puffer, and an Accuhaler dry powder device that is commonly
used in Australia and the United States. The Seretide MDI’s new advanced design contains a dose counter that gives
patients an accurate display of the number of doses left in that inhaler.
Asthma New Zealand Executive Director Gerry Hanna says, “Asthma New Zealand is a strong supporter of combination therapy
because of the benefits to patients. Patients who demonstrate a lack of asthma control from their preventer medication
on its own should notice a difference with combination therapy.
“People with asthma often tell us they find multiple medications a challenge and would prefer a single inhaler. For
these people using one inhaler as opposed to two will be much more convenient. We are delighted to have Seretide funded,
as it gives people with asthma the choices they need and brings New Zealand closer in line with the rest of the world,”
says Mr Hanna.
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What you should know about Seretide
Seretide (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol xinafoate; available as a 50/25 or 125/25mcg per actuation inhaler, or as a
100/50 or 250/50mcg per actuation Accuhaler) is a Prescription Medicine for the treatment of reversible obstructive
airway disease (ROAD) including asthma, and for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Seretide
is a fully funded medicine; Special Authority criteria apply. Seretide 250/25mcg inhaler is a private purchase medicine
that you will need to pay for. Use strictly as directed. Seretide is not for relief of acute symptoms. Always carry your
reliever inhaler. Do not discontinue Seretide abruptly. Tell your doctor if: you are taking any other medicines or
herbal remedies; you have pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), a thyroid problem or a heart problem; or you are having treatment
for high blood pressure; Side Effects may include: 'shaky' feeling; headache; fast heart rate; irritation in the nose
and throat. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your doctor, pharmacist or health professional. For more
information, see Seretide Consumer Medicine Information at www.medsafe.govt.nz. Normal doctor's office visit fees apply.
Ask your doctor if Seretide is right for you.
Seretide and Accuhaler are trade marks of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies. Marketed by GlaxoSmithKline NZ
Limited, Auckland. TAPS No. DA0611AH/06JL/094
References
1) Seretide Data Sheet, GSK New Zealand
2) Bateman E D et al. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2004;170:836-844
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About Asthma
Asthma is a disease which affects the airways and lungs. It causes narrowing of the airways through inflammation or
swelling inside them, and tightening of smooth muscle that surrounds them. These problems reduce airway diameter causing
difficulties with breathing. At present there is no known cure for asthma and the exact cause is unknown.
Asthma is a ‘chronic’ condition and without treatment it can progressively worsen and present possible serious health
risks. However, asthma can be totally controlled in many patients using inhaled medicines that tackle the causes of
inflammation and muscle tightening1.
Facts & Figures
An estimated one in every six New Zealanders has asthma2.
According to New Zealand Health Information Mortality and Demographic data in 2002, a total of 69 people died from
asthma.3
The economic burden of asthma to New Zealand has been conservatively estimated at $800 million4.
In 2003, The Patient Outcomes Management Study’ (POMS) estimated that 71% of New Zealand adults and 42% of New Zealand
children did not have good control of their asthma5.
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world along with Australia and the United Kingdom6.
Around 300 million people worldwide have asthma6, about one in every 207.
Triggers
Asthma symptoms such as breathlessness are often ‘triggered’ by well known environmental factors. Many people with
asthma are advised to avoid these triggers or to take preventative steps to manage the anticipated reaction. Common
triggers include: 2
Sudden changes in temperature, e.g. exposure to cold air or water
Exercise
Contact with house dust mites
Dust or smoke
Stress or excitement (sometimes laughter)
Flower pollen or house mould spores
Animal/pet hair
Common asthma medications
Relievers – These inhalers contain a fast acting medicine that dilates the airways by relaxing the smooth muscle
surrounding them8. They are known as short-acting beta agonists or SABAs. These are intended to be used infrequently and
if a person uses their reliever more than 3-4 times a week, they should see a doctor to discuss ways to achieve better
asthma symptom control.
Preventers – These inhalers contain an anti-inflammatory medicine that reduces the swelling inside the airways9. They
are known as inhaled corticosteroids or ICS. Preventers should used regularly (usually twice daily) to prevent asthma
symptoms from occurring.
Controllers – These inhalers contain a medicine that dilates the airways, much like relievers. They are known as
long-acting beta agonists or LABAs, and can provide 12 hours of asthma symptom control.10 Controllers are used regularly
(usually twice daily) to keep the airways dilated and should always be used with a preventer.
Preventer/Controllers or Combination Therapies – These inhalers contain two medicines, a preventer, such as
FlixotideTM, and a controller, such as Serevent,TM in one inhaler. This ensures that patients receive doses of both
medicines at the same time, offering convenience and effective treatment of their asthma symptoms.
Useful websites
www.gsk.co.nz – GlaxoSmithKline’s website – medical conditions and medications
www.seretide.co.nz – Information of GlaxoSmithKline’s medicine Seretide
www.asthma-nz.org.nz – Asthma New Zealand, patient organisation
www.asthmanz.co.nz – The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, patient organisation
www.ginasthma.org – The World Health Organisation initiative for asthma
www.pharmac.govt.nz – The NZ pharmaceutical schedule, details of all subsidised medicines
www.brit-thoracic.org.uk – The British Thoracic Society
www.thoracic.org – The American Thoracic Society
www.apsresp.org – The Asia Pacific Society of Respirology
References
1. Bateman E D et al. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2004;170:836-844
2. Asthma & Respiratory Foundation: http://www.asthmanz.co.nz/asthma.php
3. New Zealand Health Information Service downloaded July 2006 from:
http://www.nzhis.govt.nz/publications/mortality.html
4. Beasley R et al. The Burden of Asthma in New Zealand. The Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ Inc.2001 Dec:34-43
5. Holt S et al.NZ Med J 2003;116:1174-436. 2001.
6. Masoli, M, Fabian, D, Holt, S, Beasley, R, The Global Burden of Asthma Report, World Health Organisation, Presented
at World Asthma Meeting, Bangkok, Thailand 16th Feb 2004.
7. US Census Bureau 2004 downloaded July 2006 from: http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/ipc/popclockw
8. Ventolin Data Sheet, GSK New Zealand
9. Flixotide Data Sheet, GSK New Zealand
10. Serevent Data Sheet, GSK New Zealand
ENDS