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16 November 2011 | News

Asthma Society calls for a proposal to end the inequity of access to life changing drug

The Asthma Society of Ireland (ASI) has called for an end to the inequity which is leaving some people in Ireland without access to one of the proven medical treatments for severe allergic asthma.
A recent Irish study, published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science, has shown that Xolair, an innovative treatment, contributes to a 67% reduction in hospitalisation among those with severe allergic asthma.  The study also showed a 68% reduction in bed days, (which represents a saving of 11 bed days per six months per patient) and a 90% reduction in work days lost (days off work reduced from 13 to 1 in a 6 month period). The study, a national audit of Xolair patients, aimed to determine the effect of Xolair on asthma control and to determine its cost effectiveness.
 

An RTE programme, ‘Life with Asthma’, which will air tomorrow (17 November, 20.3.0 pm), shows the benefits to Dublin camera shop owner Brian Whelan. The ASI feel it is appropriate to highlight the access problem which unjustly affects many sufferers with severe asthma in Ireland.
 

Speaking today, Dr Jean Holohan, CEO, Asthma Society of Ireland, said:


“An estimated 450 people in Ireland are affected by this severe form of asthma and could potentially benefit from this innovative treatment. We are very concerned that the lack of a structured funding mechanism within our health service means that only half of these patients have access to this treatment.. Access to Xolair could dramatically improve the quality of life for these people and could save a significant amount of money for the State and for employers. "


“The HSE’s has targeted a reduction of 30% in asthma related hospital bed days within 3 years.bed days among asthma sufferers. If Xolair was made available to the estimated 250 severe allergic asthma patient currently not treated, it could potentially save over 5,800 bed days in 1 year. The accepted national guideline for asthma is GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) and every Irish patient should be entitled to receive care that complies with the GINA guidelines. Xolair is the only medication in the GINA guidelines that is not available to all patients. The ASI calls on all hospitals to make Xolair (step 5 GINA) available to all their severe allergic asthma patients. This treatment is funded in the UK and in most other countries – why not in Ireland? We are calling for protected funds for this treatment – which has proven to dramatically improve the lives of people with severe asthma and save a significant amount of money for the State in reduced hospitalisations and for employers in fewer workdays lost.”

Professor Stephen Lane, a Respiratory Consultant from AMNCH, and one of the authors of the study, said:
 

“Xolair is the only monoclonal antibody licenced for the treatment of severe allergic asthma patients in Ireland. Xolair is not currently funded by any HSE scheme (GMS, LTI, High Tech) but is paid for from local hospital budgets. This means that patients are denied this treatment in parts of the country where hospitals have not included it in their budget.
“The lack of funding for Xolair in Ireland impacts negatively on patients and leads to inequalities based on where a patient lives. This inequity should be addressed with immediate effect. Xolair is the only asthma treatment recommended for severe allergic asthmatics at the most severe end of the GINA guideline however its use is been severely restricted in Ireland. The fact that there is wide spread use / availability of monoclonal antibody treatments for other inflammatory diseases is another aspect of the inequity.”
 

RTE programme airing tomorrow shows dramatic benefits to one fortunate individual. Access is not available to all with severe respiratory condition

• Irish study shows 67% reduction in hospitalisation among those with severe asthma;
• 68% reduction in bed days - a saving of 11 bed days per six months per patient;
• 90% reduction in work days lost - days off work reduced from 13 to 1 in a 6 month period

 

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