Asthma prescribing probe
February 13, 2013
THE Pharmaceutical Benefits
Advisory Committee has agreed to
consider a report on the Post-
Market Review of Pharmaceutical
Benefits Scheme Medicines to Treat
Asthma in Children.
The review aims to systematically
evaluate the body of clinical
evidence regarding asthma
medicines, and the appropriate
management of children with the
condition in clinical practice.
The need for the review was first
identified by the Paediatric
Medicines Advisory Group, which
found that 40% of children
prescribed with a fixed-dose
combination (FDC) product (of
inhaled long-acting beta-agonists
and corticosteroids) had not first
been prescribed a single ingredient
product (an inhaled corticosteroid).
This was regarded as a “serious
quality use of medicines issue”
which is contrary to current asthma
management guidelines.
Last April the National Medicines
Policy Committee recommended a
post-market review of PBS-listed
medicines for treating asthma in
children, including salmeterol with
fluticason, eformoterol with
budesonide, beclomethasone
dipropionate, ciclesonide, sodium
cromoglycate and nedocromil
sodium, montelukast, and
eformoterol.
Submissions are now being
sought to address the Terms of
Reference for the review, which are
now online at www.pbs.gov.au.
Submissions are due by 02 April.
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