Posted by Michael Wonder on 13 Mar 2020
New drug: 'it's made a huge difference,' asthma sufferer says
12 March 2020 - Hundreds of severe asthma sufferers will have access to a new medicine from next month.
Drug buying agency PHARMAC said the drug, mepolizumab, would be available to patients and would be injected every four weeks by a health professional.
It said it would be used alongside preventers, such as steroids and inhalers.
A severe asthma sufferer, Alex, has been taking steroids for over 30 years.
Four weeks ago, she had her first injection of mepolizumab.
"I haven't coughed in four weeks or had a severe attack and mepolizumab has already made a huge difference to my asthma - I am no longer breathless," she said.
