Asthma Treatment Shifts Towards Long-Term Prevention

Asthma treatment strategies have evolved, shifting from a focus on short-term symptom relief to long-term prevention. This change, underpinned by a new guideline issued in March 2023, was highlighted at the Bundesapothekerkammer (ABDA) "pharmacon" training congress in June.

Professor Gerd Bendas, a pharmaceutical chemistry professor at the University of Bonn, emphasized the crucial role of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). These are now utilized in combination with long-acting bronchodilators, even for mild asthma cases. For severe, difficult-to-control asthma, therapeutic antibodies are increasingly preferred over oral corticosteroids.

The traditional classification of asthma medications into short-acting "relievers" and long-acting "controllers" is now considered outdated. Professor Bendas also introduced the cytokine TSLP as a new pharmacological target in asthma therapy, along with an antibody treatment that targets it.

Since 2022, pharmacies have been offering specialized pharmaceutical services to patients using inhalers for lung conditions. This development reflects advancements in understanding asthma's underlying mechanisms and aims to improve patient outcomes through more targeted and preventative therapies.