Complaints bring hope for puffer users

Asthma sufferers have been given a glimmer of hope that state subsidies may continue for Ventolin puffers after a wave of complaints about a cheaper alternative.

Pharmac is considering whether to delay the final switch to subsidising only Salamol. The alternative puffer has the same active ingredient, but many patients say it tastes bad and does not work as well.

The change is expected to save the Government about $1.7 million over 18 months - $2 a puffer.

Around 700 complaints against Salamol have been sent to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring, Otago University's Government-contracted medicines-surveillance programme.

"That's a huge number of reports for us," said the centre's medical director, Dr Michael Tatley.

It is estimated that more than 540,000 people - 90 per cent of New Zealand's asthma sufferers - use Ventolin to relieve their symptoms.

Pharmac's chief executive, Wayne McNee, indicated yesterday that patients' concerns about Salamol were receiving a thorough hearing.

"Issues have been raised about Salamol. They may be valid issues," he told an Auckland District Health Board meeting.

Noting the high number of complaints, he said: "We will be reviewing whether we will continue with the sole supply." Later he would not comment on whether Ventolin would continue to be subsidised.