Struggling individuals with asthma find themselves compromising their medication usage due to financial constraints, according to the Asthma Society's statements.

Asthma Society of Ireland Advocates for Affordable Asthma Medication

The Asthma Society of Ireland (ASI) is urging the Irish government to take immediate action to address the affordability crisis faced by asthma patients. According to the ASI, 1 in 4 people with asthma in Ireland skip or ration their medication due to financial constraints.

In a recent survey, the ASI found that 56% of respondents or their parents had experienced difficulties making ends meet. Emily Smyth, a recipient of the drug payment scheme and a severe asthma patient, stated that the cost of medication is a significant financial commitment.

The ASI's chief executive, Eilís Ní Chaithnín, has highlighted that these costs are causing an "affordability crisis" for the estimated 450,000 people living with asthma in Ireland. She emphasized that financial barriers should never be a reason that people don't seek healthcare.

To address this issue, the ASI is requesting €14 million to subsidize asthma medications in 2026. They suggest reducing the threshold for the drugs payment scheme by €8 to €72 and abolishing prescription charges for medical card holders, at an estimated cost of €84.5 million to the exchequer.

Prof Marcus Butler, medical director at ASI, stated that subsidisation of inhalers is important because they are proven to be effective in controlling asthma and reducing symptoms. He also mentioned that the majority of asthma deaths in 2022 were preventable.

The ASI is advocating for further attention to severe asthma patients and free home energy upgrades for people with chronic respiratory conditions at risk of energy poverty. Ms. Smyth, a severe asthma patient, reiterated that everyone should have access to care and medication.

Recent CSO figures show that 87 people died from asthma in 2022, with provisional figures indicating this trend has continued into 2023 and 2024. The ASI's proposals aim to prevent treatment skips that worsen health outcomes and potentially lead to tragic consequences.

The ASI's proposal would logically involve lobbying for rebates, subsidies, or inclusion of asthma medications in more comprehensive drug reimbursement schemes within Ireland’s health system. This aligns with broader public health advocacy trends to improve access through policy change.

However, the exact details of the ASI's proposal were not disclosed in the available search results. For further detail, consulting the Asthma Society of Ireland’s official communications or recent policy statements would be recommended.

[1] Asthma Society of Ireland, (2025). Asthma Medication Affordability Crisis: A Call to Action. Retrieved from https://asthma.ie/news/asthma-medication-affordability-crisis-a-call-to-action/

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Struggling individuals with asthma find themselves compromising their medication usage due to financial constraints, according to the Asthma Society's statements.