Novartis study reveals health impact of severe asthma

Novartis has published results from a new survey that reveals the impact that severe asthma can have on patients' quality of life.

An Ipsos MORI poll of 333 severe asthma patients commissioned by Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK found that 40 per cent of those polled have visited accident and emergency departments at least once in the last year due to their condition.

More than half said they were worried about their next potential life-threatening attack, whilst 28 percent have already experienced an incident that left them on life support.

Meanwhile, although 95 percent of patients take their medicine as instructed, 38 percent have said their symptoms are still not under control.

Dr Rob Niven, senior lecturer in respiratory medicine at the University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, said: "It appears that we still have a long way to go before the severe forms of the condition are well managed and the day-to-day impact is minimised."

Earlier this week, the company received a recommendation from Europe's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use for Seebri Breezhaler, its new chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment.