People with severe asthma continue to experience symptoms and disease burden, despite taking medications. Medication costs are ongoing and can be high. Significant side effects can also result, in particular from ongoing high-dose oral corticosteroids. These factors can contribute to doubts about treatment efficacy and reduce adherence and compliance to prescribed medications or promote overuse of reliever medications. Decreased medication use, without medical recommendation, puts people at increased risk of severe asthma attacks / exacerbations.
“I hate it, I never liked taking tablets or medicine and now I depend on them…a lot of times I miss taking my medication at night….at the start of the day I can’t be bothered, but I know if I don’t, I’m in trouble”
Video provided by Associate Professor Lorraine Smith and Ms. Daniela Eassey, University of Sydney.
“I felt uncomfortable, I was despairing….I lost faith”
Video provided by Associate Professor Lorraine Smith and Ms. Daniela Eassey, University of Sydney.
People with severe asthma will weigh the benefits of taking medications (e.g. oral corticosteroids), against the impact of side effects. It is important to recognise that what may appear as ‘non-compliance’ is often a conscious/strategic choice adopted by a patient. Exploring patients’ experiences in a non-judgemental and open way will help to uncover the true reasons for this apparent non-compliance, enabling the healthcare provider to work with their patient to find solutions that will work for the patient. For more information see Adherence
In addition to medication costs, people with severe asthma experience additional financial costs. These include:
- Long-term medication costs
- Cost to treat/manage medication side-effects
- Absence from work – due to disease burden or clinic appointments/travel
- Associated travel costs, to attend appointments
“I just got to keep working and do overtime….to pay for the medication….it ranges anywhere from $100-150 per week….it all starts adding up really quick”
Video provided by Associate Professor Lorraine Smith and Ms. Daniela Eassey, University of Sydney.
“Private health covers it to a point….I have puffers that cost $100 each….I’m supposed to be on nasal spray all the time, but I try not to”
Video provided by Associate Professor Lorraine Smith and Ms. Daniela Eassey, University of Sydney.
Video provided by Associate Professor Lorraine Smith and Ms. Daniela Eassey, University of Sydney.
Asthma Australia and the National Asthma Council have patient-facing websites that offer support for effectively managing the burdens of medication use and costs.
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