Combo inhaler lacks evidence for first-line use in asthma: PBAC
The committee has revealed why it refused to fund budesonide-formoterol for mild asthma
This story has been updated to reinforce that Symbicort remains TGA-listed for mild asthma, despite not being PBS-listed.
Despite new international guidelines recommending combination budesonide-formoterol as first-line for mild asthma, the PBAC says there is a lack of evidence for such advice.
In August, the committee rejected an application from Symbicort sponsor AstraZeneca to fund the budesonide-formoterol fixed-dose combination inhaler for adults and adolescents as an alternative to separate reliever and preventer inhalers.
Australian guidelines say a few patients may be effectively controlled on a short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) alone but most patients with mild asthma should start on a reliever and a preventer.
