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The Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has recently approved the listing of Bufomix Easyhaler and Salflumix Easyhaler for the maintenance treatment of asthma and COPD. They are available and subsidised by the Australian government with a prescription for people aged 12 and up.
Bufomix and Salflumix Easyhaler bring a new device option for people with asthma who are currently prescribed a budesonide/formoterol or fluticasone/salmeterol combination preventer.
What’s New?
The Easyhaler device (which contains the dry powder medicine inside) is what’s new for Australians. It has been used in the UK and other places for many years.
If you say yes to a generic version of fluticasone/salmeterol like Salflumix Easyhaler, or a generic version of budesonide/formoterol like Bufomix Easyhaler at the chemist, you should be aware that this new device means you will need to learn a new technique to use it.
We have a new video to show you how to use this new device, but it is also important to have some in-person training with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure that you get the most benefit from your medicine.
To use a dry-powder inhaler you need to inhale with a strong, deep breath. It may not be the right choice for you if you struggle with this. Check with your doctor if dry-powder inhalers such as the Easyhaler are right for you.
If you do not want to switch to a new device, you can choose to say no to the generic substitution or request a generic that comes in a device you already know how to use.
| New Easyhaler | Contains | Other preventers with the same medicine combination |
| Bufomix | budesonide/formoterol | BiResp Spiromax, Duoresp Spiromax, Rilast Turbuhaler, Symbicort Rapihaler and Symbicort Turbuhaler |
| Salflumix | fluticasone/salmeterol | Evocair MDI, Fluticasone Salmeterol Cipla, Fluticasone Salmeterol Ciphaler, Pavtide MDI, Pavtide Accuhaler, SalplusF Inhaler, Seretide Accuhaler, Seretide MDI |
Like other dry-powder medicines, the Easyhaler should be used up within 1 or 2 months after opening, depending on the medicine it contains. If you are taking it everyday, you should run out before it expires. There is a place on the Easyhaler label to note when you are due to discard.
We are pleased that people with asthma in Australia now have more options to find a device that is right for them.
More information:
| SALFLUMIX (salmeterol/fluticasone) | Click to read the TGA Product Information |
| BUFOMIX (budesonide/formoterol) | Click to read the TGA Product Information |