INFORM
ASTHMA Trial
If you only take an inhaler as needed to relieve your asthma symptoms, and would like to help us improve the treatment of asthma both here in Aotearoa New Zealand, and around the world, please consider joining our INFORM ASTHMA Trial.
The INFORM ASTHMA Trial is comparing the effectiveness of two different reliever inhalers, Bricanyl 200 Turbuhaler and Symbicort 200/6 Turbuhaler, in treating adults with mild-moderate asthma.
Trial participants will be randomly assigned one of these inhalers, along with a Pulmicort 200 Turbuhaler for daily prevention. Over six months and three in-person visits, participants will report their symptoms, undergo breathing tests, and have blood tests measuring asthma-linked components. Additionally, they'll use a portable device at home for lung inflammation measurement.
Eligible participants must have asthma, use specific inhaler treatments, be aged 16-75, agree to inhaler changes, and show detectable lung inflammation.
Study medication, reimbursement, and travel expenses are all covered.
START CARE
Asthma Study
One in seven children in Aotearoa, New Zealand, has asthma, which accounts for more than 10% of all GP consultations for children, 325,000 asthma-related prescriptions, and 3,000 hospital admissions annually.
Most children in New Zealand rely on short-acting relievers like Ventolin or Respigen to treat their asthma. While these inhalers quickly relieve symptoms they do not address the underlying airway inflammation. On the other hand, the 2-in-1 inhaler containing both a steroid and a long-acting reliever (Symbicort) treats airway Inflammation and relieves symptoms with each use.
The MRINZ changed global practice when it conclusively showed, that in adults the 2-in-1 Symbicort inhaler reduces the risk of a severe asthma attack by up to one-half compared with salbutamol reliever inhaler use.
The START CARE study will determine if the benefits of Symbicort reliever seen in adults also apply to children. If the results of the START CARE study are comparable, then the findings have the potential to change practice and markedly reduce the burden of childhood asthma in New Zealand and globally.
This potentially world-changing research, led by the MRINZ, aims to help kids everywhere, particularly tamariki here in Aotearoa, which has some of the worst asthma rates in the world.
Influenza-like Illness Study
The COVID-19 response highlighted need for robust surveillance of viruses circulating through communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. Existing testing focuses primarily on the hospital and General Practice setting, which whilst essential and informative, limits the samples collected.
This research is assessing the feasibility of community pharmacy participation in the national influenza-like illness surveillance platform. Our established Pharmacy Research Network is undertaking this study, offering participation to people that present with symptoms of influenza-like illness (self-reported fever and cough in the past ten days).
The study is a single visit with the pharmacist who will collect some information about your health followed by the taking of a nasopharyngeal swab for sending to the ESR laboratory in Wellington.
This will allow us to see if community pharmacies are a viable setting to monitor viruses circulating in the community and determine if they are different to those detected in the General Practice and Hospital settings.
Ginger Tincture Extract As Anti-Inflammatory Drug
This study aims to look at a new medicine for inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease where joints get swollen and painful over time. We don't know exactly why it happens, but we think it's because of the body's immune system. RA causes inflammation in the joints, leading to pain and difficulty moving.
To treat RA, we try to stop this inflammation. If we can control inflammation quickly, it can prevent damage and help people move better. Despite improvements in treatment, many RA patients still don't respond well to therapy or have bad side effects. We need better and safer treatments for RA, especially ones with fewer side effects.
Ginger is a common spice and traditional remedy known for reducing pain and inflammation. Studies show ginger extract can help people with swollen joints. Evithe Ltd has made Carelwon®, a new medicine from ginger. It's taken as a liquid by mouth. We think Carelwon™ can reduce inflammation and make it easier for people with RA to move.
COVID-19 Needle Length Study
COVID-19 vaccines are intended for injection into the deltoid muscle in the arm. However, previous research shows that the standard needle used for vaccination in Aotearoa New Zealand does not reach the deltoid muscle in many adults with larger bodies due to the layer of fat that sits between the skin and deltoid muscle.
It is currently unknown if vaccine delivery into the muscle is required to achieve a full immune response from the vaccine and whether side effects differ depending on where the vaccine is delivered.
In this study, we are comparing the immune response and side effects following COVID-19 vaccination delivered either into the muscle or into the fat below the skin. Any difference identified based on the location of injection is important both in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.
