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Xolair
Society calls for more access to asthma drug
The Asthma Society of Ireland (ASI) has called for improved access to Xolair, a drug for severe allergic asthma.
THE ASTHMA SOCIETY of Ireland has called for more widespread access to Xolair, a drug which reduces the effects of severe allergic asthma.
According to the Independent Medical News, a recent Irish study found that the drug contributes to a 67 per cent reduction in hospitalisation among those with severe allergic asthma.
About 450 people in Ireland are affected by this dangerous form of asthma and they could potentially benefit from the innovative treatment, said Dr Jean Holohan, chief executive of the ASI.
The treatment is funded in the UK and other European countries but is not available to all patients here.
The society claims that if Xolair was made available to the 250 patients currently not treated, it could potentially save more than 5,800 bed days in Irish hospitals over a 12-month-period.
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