GlaxoSmithKline welcomes NICE guidance issued on Wednesday 28th November, which recommends combination treatments such as Seretide®* (salmeterol/fluticasone propionate) as an option for children, needing both an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and a long-acting beta2 agonist (LABA) to control their asthma1.

The guidance gives healthcare professionals the freedom to choose between a combination treatment or separate devices for ICS and LABA, stating that treatment decisions should be made on a patient-by-patient basis, taking into consideration the likelihood of adherence and therapeutic need1. Combination inhalers can be a cheaper option than separate inhalers for delivering these two components1.

The new NICE guidance is complementary to the current BTS/SIGN asthma guidelines which also state that if children aged 5-12 years are poorly controlled on ICS alone, adding a LABA is more effective than increasing the dose of ICS2.

Nearly 1 million children in the UK have asthma1. Poorly controlled asthma has a significant impact on quality of life, causing frequent exacerbations and night-time awakenings, as well as being responsible for emergency admissions. With good control of symptoms, children with asthma can lead full and active lives3.

About Seretide®

Seretide® is (salmeterol/fluticasone proprionate - GlaxoSmithKline) is the most widely used ICS/LABA combination treatment in the UK4.

*Seretide is licensed for children from the age of 4.

Seretide is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

About GSK

GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information visit gsk.

References

1. Inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of chronic asthma in children under the age of 12 years. NICE technology appraisal guidance 131. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Nov 07

2. British Thoracic Society/Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. British Guideline on the Management of Asthma: A National Clinical Guidance. July 2007

3. Asthma UK website. Please click here (last accessed 19 November 2007)

4. GlaxoSmithKline Data on File SFL/DOF/07/30920/1

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