New beclometasone/formoterol combo credible in asthma

The new fixed-combination beclometasone/formoterol [Foster] is as effective as the marketed fixed-combinations of budesonide/formoterol [Symbicort Turbuhaler] and salmeterol/fluticasone propionate [Seretide, Advair] for the treatment of moderate to severe persistent asthma, according to data from two multinational phase III studies presented at the 16th Annual Congress of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) [Munich, Germany; September 2006]. An additional study presented at the meeting showed that the novel beclometasone/formoterol therapy was significantly more effective than an increased corresponding dose of beclometasone alone in patients with moderate persistent asthma.