Pharmac to replace Ventolin

The subsidised blue inhaler used by tens of thousands of New Zealanders with asthma is about to undergo a brand change.

Government drug-funding agency Pharmac has agreed to subsidise the Salamol brand of salbutamol, the most commonly used inhaler to treat the onset of asthma symptoms, from February 1.

Salamol is CFC-free and supplied by Air Flow Products, a subsidiary company of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, and will replace the Ventolin brand.

Pharmac medical director Peter Moodie said: "We will be supplying information to doctors to keep them informed about the change, so that they can help patients change to the new brand."

He said patients should not notice a difference in their medication.

"Salamol is supplied in a blue inhaler that will already be familiar to people using salbutamol."

Pharmac says listing Salamol, which accounts for 20 per cent of salbutamol dispensed in Britain, will enable savings of about $1.7 million up to June 2006.

- NZPA