Lack of essential asthma medications in primary care centres in Kuwait.

SETTING

Asthma is a common chronic disease that can affect any age group. Available, affordable and effective asthma medications are essential to achieve good asthma control.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the availability of essential asthma medications in primary care centres and the cost of a year's supply in Kuwait.

METHODS

A telephone survey was conducted in 36 centres. The cost of asthma medication was calculated based on estimated annual needs for the different grades of asthma severity.

RESULTS

None of the centres surveyed had adequate asthma medication: 12 (33%) had just adequate and 24 (67%) had below adequate supplies. All had intravenous hydrocortisone and nebulised bronchodilators, but none had high-dose inhaled steroids; 24 (67%) had neither oral steroids nor salbutamol inhalers. All had oral bronchodilators, aminophylline and theophylline. Family medical centres had more asthma medications. The annual cost of treating a case of moderate asthma in Kuwait is 562 US dollars.

CONCLUSION

Most of the primary care centres in Kuwait lack essential asthma medications. This creates over-reliance on hospital emergency departments and affects asthma management.