Patient advocacy organization Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) has released data from a survey of patients using intranasal corticosteroid sprays showing that 90% of the patients surveyed “said they prefer to rely on medical professionals to diagnose and manage their conditions.” According to the organization, the survey also showed that more than 70% of the patients were concerned that making the medications available over the counter would increase cost.
AANMA President and Founder Nancy Sander said, “AANMA conducted a survey of more than 1,600 families and patients who use nasal corticosteroid sprays and found that they are prescribed to treat a complex set of symptoms for patients who often take an assortment of other medications. . . the average patient doesn’t know allergic from non-allergic rhinitis, or boggy nasal passages from sinus infections or a deviated septum. These are complex conditions, and intranasal corticosteroids are serious medications with the potential for unwanted side effects. Patients deserve the best possible care and guidance from their physicians; they should not be left on their own to self-diagnose at the pharmacy.”
The data was to be presented at the July 31 meeting of the FDA’s Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee, which is considering making sanofi’s Nasacort triamcinolone acetonide nasal spray available OTC.
Read the AANMA press release.
