Abstract:
An important management strategy in asthma is the application of a cost-effectiveness review to the selected management
principles. Efficacy, in the clinical trial setting, is the first determinant of effectiveness. However, in comparing the costeffectiveness
of two or more therapeutic strategies or drugs the determinants of cost-effectiveness may require more
than the simple comparison of Rand value and clinical efficacy end-points. The Rand value of a successful outcome is
vital. One of the main goals of long-term asthma management is to avoid asthma-related hospital admissions. An effective
asthma education programme can resolve most, if not all of the shortcomings in asthma care. In addition, adherence
to guideline recommendations would result in a a decrease in unnecessary and costly (cost-ineffective) therapies. Many
asthmatics in South Africa are not being treated according to local or international guideline recommendations and lastly
adherence is a serious problem in asthma therapy, significantly increasing asthma management costs.
