New Zealand Leads Global Asthma Management as Hospital Admissions for Asthma Decline

Recent findings from the MRINZ highlight New Zealand’s leading role in asthma management, showcasing a significant drop in hospital admissions due to asthma.

The MRINZ study, Patterns Of Asthma Medication Use And Hospital Discharges In New Zealand, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global revealed a 108% increase in the use of the combination 2-in-1 inhaler budesonide/formoterol from 2019 to 2022. This increase correlates with a 17% reduction in asthma-related hospital admissions.

MRINZ’s clinical trials over the past decade have demonstrated the effectiveness of the 2-in-1 inhaler in preventing severe asthma attacks. These findings influenced the 2019 Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines, which endorsed the combination inhaler as the preferred reliever across all asthma severity levels.

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand (ARFNZ) echoed these recommendations in their 2020 guidelines, leading to widespread adoption of budesonide/formoterol therapy in New Zealand. This shift in treatment has resulted in improved asthma management nationwide.

Dr Bryan Betty, Chair of General Practice New Zealand, praised the rapid integration of these guidelines into practice, emphasising the high quality of care provided by New Zealand’s healthcare professionals. Professor Richard Beasley, MRINZ Director, also credited the success to the collaborative efforts of general practitioners and practice nurses.

Supported by the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC), MRINZ's research includes three pivotal clinical trials, marking a significant achievement in asthma care. HRC Chief Executive, Professor Sunny Collings, highlighted the unique, independent nature of these trials, which have set new standards in asthma treatment globally.

New Zealand’s proactive approach and commitment to evidence-based treatments underscore its position as a world leader in asthma management.