Breath of Fresh Care: The Future of Asthma Treatment Access and Innovation

“Breath of Fresh Care” is a paper written by a physician that focuses on recent innovations in asthma care. The article highlights how treatments like biologics are changing the way providers tailor care for patients with asthma. J. Allen Meadows, MD, emphasizes the importance of innovative treatments in giving patients more targeted options that meet their specific needs.

However, while these innovative treatments have the potential to be game changers for patients with asthma, barriers can hinder access to them. Utilization management tactics like prior authorization and step therapy can delay patients from accessing their treatment in a timely manner. Pharmacy benefit managers may create formularies that exclude innovative treatments, forcing patients to use less effective medications. Copay diversion programs can also complicate how patients access their medication and lead to significant out-of-pocket costs for patients.

Organizations like ICER may impact whether a medication receives coverage without considering patient values and perspectives. It is essential for policies to be put in place to reduce these barriers to access innovative asthma treatments. With the right care, asthma patients can experience improved outcomes and breathe easier.

J. Allen Meadows, MD, notes the remarkable advancements in asthma treatments during his lifetime and emphasizes the significant impact that the right treatment can have on patients, reducing absences from school for children, improving productivity for adults, and reducing emergency room visits. He advocates for patient-centered care through his work with the Alliance for Patient Access, a network of policy-minded healthcare providers who are dedicated to ensuring that patients have access to innovative treatments that can improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals with asthma and other chronic conditions.