Medical experts from various fields of specialization are calling urgent attention to the right care for asthma. Multiple studies show that the inadequacy in the treatment of the chronic lung disease, which afflicts people of all ages, is creating problems for Filipino families and the health sector.

Asthma is a major health issue among Filipinos because of SABA

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that asthma is often underdiagnosed and undertreated in low- and middle-income countries like the Philippines. This is further proven by a study from The Lancet, which indicated that an estimated 98% of Filipinos do not have access to adequate outpatient asthma care. The same journal showed that nearly half of Filipinos with asthma have inadequately controlled disease, making them prone to attacks or hospitalizations.

With this inequity, it becomes more important that Filipinos get the right treatment every chance they get. Dr. Maria Janeth Samson, president of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians, said that high use of short-acting beta 2 agonist (SABA) like salbutamol alone, indicates poor asthma control.

A study published in the Acta Medica Philippina journal found out that an estimated 69% of hospital admissions due to asthma are from uncontrolled or partly-controlled cases.

Dr. Samson, a pulmonologist, also cited the Canadian SABA In Asthma (SABINA) longitudinal study. The paper concluded that overuse of SABAs is linked to an increased risk of severe attacks.

“Because of the quick sense of relief brought about by SABAs, it makes patients over-rely on this medication,” she said.

Doctors affirm that asthma attacks are avoidable with correct care

Doctors advise a more balanced approach, headlined by the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) recommends the use of a combination ICS-formoterol inhaler, as it both relieves symptoms and reduces the risk of asthma attacks. As both a reliever and controller of asthma, ICS-formoterol is GINA’s preferred option over SABA, which is solely for symptom relief.

Dr. Guia Limpoco, trustee of the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, and Dr. Anna Marie Putulin, president of the Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists, echo Dr. Samson’s call. These practices align with reaching the ultimate goal of long-term asthma management4, which includes preventing severe attacks and averting decline of lung function.

“Ang asthma, family affair din ang treatment niyan,” Limpoco, a primary care physician, emphasized the importance of a support system in dealing with asthma. “We have to check the techniques, kasi minsan mali pala ginagawa kaya hindi nako-control ang symptoms nila.”

Dr. Putulin, a pediatric pulmonologist, meanwhile, expressed optimism as the science is already established to mitigate asthma. “Gusto natin ngayon pa lang bata na-train na sila, na-address na ‘yung issue,” she explained while underscoring the importance of an active lifestyle among kids. “We encourage them to live a normal lifestyle, involve your children in sports.”

What is being done to address this?

Dr. Cyril Tolosa, medical affairs director of AstraZeneca Philippines, vows to continue helping spread asthma care equity, driven by its bold ambition to eliminate asthma attacks and achieve clinical remission for all asthma patients.

“It will take the entire ecosystem of stakeholders in health to change the landscape of asthma care in the country—the government, the private sector, patient groups, and of course healthcare experts,” said Dr. Tolosa.

To achieve this ambition, AstraZeneca is championing respiratory health through programs like Breathe Better, a campaign that is raising Filipinos’ awareness of the risks and complications of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The campaign’s official page now has over 38,000 Facebook followers, helping answer the urgency of empowering more Filipinos.

The global biopharmaceutical company partnered with PAFP in advocating for the Asthma Action Plan, a simple tool recommended by GINA to help empower patients through guided self-management of asthma. In 2023, AstraZeneca also worked with PAFP, PCCP, and Mercury Drug to launch Asthma Care Hub, the first in-store end-to-end healthcare solution for patients with asthma. To date, there are now 14 hubs in Mega Manila.

Agham Kapihan is a series of media roundtable discussions that seek to bring into light matters of science and health and advocate for innovation that benefits Filipinos. The forum is supported by AstraZeneca as part of its commitment to improving the lives of millions of patients together with its partners across the healthcare ecosystem.

This is a press release. Edits have been made by the 8List.ph editorial team.

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References:

1. World Health Organization. (2024, May 6). Asthma.
   
2. Noorduyn SG,Qian C, Johnston KM, et al.SABA use as an indicator for asthma exacerbationrisk:an observational cohort study(SABINA Canada).ERJ Open Res 2022;8:00140-2022 [DOI:10.1183/23120541.00140-2022].
   
3. Fernandez, L and M. Zamora. An Assessment of Epidemiologic Burden of Hospitalization for Bronchial Asthma in Acute Exacerbation among Adult Patients Admitted in a Tertiary Hospital in the Philippines: A Pilot Study. ACTA Medica Philippina. Vol. 55 No. 1 2021
   
4. Global Initiative for Asthma. (2024, May). Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention (2024 Update).