Some doctors are failing to follow the British Thoracic Society's (BTS) prescriptions guidance, meaning that children are not being given the most suitable asthma medication, a study has found.
National data reveals that too many children are being prescribed bronchodilator syrups and long acting beta agonists (LABAs), despite the fact that the 2005 guidance discourages both types of medication.
Victoria King, research development manager at Asthma UK, commented: "Getting the right treatment for asthma patients is vital and the monitoring of prescribing habits is important to ensure patients always use the lowest dose of treatment that controls their condition.
"We advise parents of children on 'combination inhalers', which are combined 'preventer' and 'reliever' drugs in one inhaler, to check with their GPs at their next asthma review to ensure the GP is prescribing in accordance with BTS guidelines."
Around one million children suffer from asthma in the UK, with around a third of children between the ages of five and 13 visiting their doctor about the condition.
© Adfero Ltd
National data reveals that too many children are being prescribed bronchodilator syrups and long acting beta agonists (LABAs), despite the fact that the 2005 guidance discourages both types of medication.
Victoria King, research development manager at Asthma UK, commented: "Getting the right treatment for asthma patients is vital and the monitoring of prescribing habits is important to ensure patients always use the lowest dose of treatment that controls their condition.
"We advise parents of children on 'combination inhalers', which are combined 'preventer' and 'reliever' drugs in one inhaler, to check with their GPs at their next asthma review to ensure the GP is prescribing in accordance with BTS guidelines."
Around one million children suffer from asthma in the UK, with around a third of children between the ages of five and 13 visiting their doctor about the condition.
© Adfero Ltd
Treatment news : 05/09/2007
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