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Update: From 1 June 2020 DuoResp Spiromax 200/6, Symbicort Turbuhaler 200/6 and Symbicort Rapihaler 100/3 have been made available at PBS prices for adolescent and adult patients with mild asthma.
Media release: 05/09/2019
Existing asthma treatments DuoResp and Symbicort are now registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to be used as a dual purpose reliever (used as-needed), for people with mild asthma.
Until now, DuoResp and Symbicort were only registered, as needed, for maintenance and maintenance and reliever treatment for people living with moderate-to-severe asthma. DuoResp Spiromax 200/6, Symbicort Turbuhaler 200/6 and Symbicort Rapihaler 100/3 are now available for as-needed use in mild asthma. This is as well as its license for use in more severe forms of asthma.
People with asthma should be aware that under this new registration DuoResp and Symbicort are not yet reimbursed by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for these indications. This means that a prescription for either of these two inhalers for treatment as needed will be dispensed at the price of a private prescription. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Council are currently considering the proposal to include Symbicort in the list of subsidised medicines under the PBS for treatment in this new way. For maintenance and maintenance and reliever treatment, DuoResp and Symbicort are subsidised on the PBS.
People with asthma who are already prescribed DuoResp Spiromax 200/6, Symbicort Turbuhaler (200/6) and Rapihaler (100/3) as asthma maintenance treatments should continue as per their asthma plan, as prescribed by their health professional.
As this treatment combines both a preventer and reliever medicine, it has the potential to reduce inflammation in the lungs.
We will continue to keep our community up to date with any further developments as they arise. See the TGA website for more information.
05.09.21
Existing asthma treatment Symbicort is now registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to be used, as needed, for people with mild asthma.
Until now, Symbicort was only registered, as needed, for maintenance treatment for people living with moderate-to-severe asthma. Symbicort Turbuhaler 200/6 and Symbicort Rapihaler 100/3 are now available for as needed use in mild asthma. This is in addition to its license for use in more severe forms of asthma.
People with asthma should be aware that under this new registration Symbicort is not yet reimbursed by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This means that a prescription for either of these two Symbicort inhalers for treatment as needed will be dispensed at the price of a private prescription. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Council are currently considering the proposal to include Symbicort in the list of subsidised medicines under the PBS for treatment in this new way. For maintenance treatment, Symbicort is subsidised on the PBS.
People with asthma who are already prescribed Symbicort Turbuhaler (200/6) and Rapihaler (100/3) as an asthma maintenance treatment should continue as per their asthma plan, as prescribed by their health professional.
As this treatment combines both a preventer and reliever medicine, it has the potential to reduce inflammation in the lungs.
Asthma Australia will continue to keep our community up to date with any further developments as they arise. See the TGA website for more information.