SHARP RISE IN ASTHMA ACROSS EUROPE FUELS CONSENSUS FOR CHANGE - LIZ LYNNE

1.40.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 23rd Oct 2006

Leading asthma experts, EU policymakers, regulators and patient groups met yesterday and today to discuss asthma management at a Summit for Change in Asthma Management hosted by county Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne in the European Parliament.

The summit developed a 'Brussels Declaration', outlining the changes that are required at both a regulatory and clinical level to ensure better treatment for all asthma patients in Europe and to discuss ways to tackle the sharp increase in cases across the EU.

Liz said:

"Every hour at least one person dies of asthma in Western Europe, and more than 6 million Europeans with asthma live in fear that their next attack could kill them. 5.1m people currently suffer from asthma in the UK and there are still around 1400 deaths per year. Most of which could be prevented with appropriate routine & emergency care.

"As an asthma sufferer myself, I feel that there is a real need to make sure that more information is made readily available to patients and that there is much more specialist training for health professionals."

"Patients must be empowered and expect more from their treatment, including an individualised treatment programme and more information on the effects of any drugs they are prescribed."

"This summit has shown that we can't just look at the traditional medical model of treating Asthma; it is a systemic disease, influenced by the environment and its treatment and prevention requires a holistic approach not solely based on the prescription of medication"

"Drug companies must also understand that current clinical trials for asthma medication is unrepresentative of the asthmatic population; the summit concluded that drugs are often tested on only 2% of the type of people affected by the disease"

"The Brussels declaration provides a strong basis for future action in this area and I hope the European Parliament, the European Commission, Member States and Clinical Bodies will take its recommendations on board. Policymakers must be aware that Asthma and allergies are becoming a public health concern across all EU Member States.

Notes to Editors

Summary of the draft Brussels Declaration (Please note this draft will be finalised in more detail over the next two weeks)

1. Make asthma a political priority

2. Ensure knowledge rapidly reflects scientific understanding

3. Implement rapid and ongoing update of guidelines

4. Promote best practice in asthma diagnosis and control

5. Support studies that focus on a broader range of end points

6. Explore the health economic burden of asthma

7. Maximise adherence to treatment

8. Update EMEA Guidance Note on Asthma

9. Empower people with asthma

10. Improve pharmacovigilance in asthma

11. Urgently address issues in paediatric asthma management

12. Revise the model / current understanding of asthma

13. Place greater emphasis on prevention and environmental factors