‘People are really struggling': Cost pressures forcing asthma patients to cut back on medication, says Asthma Society
Asthma Society of Ireland
have said they went without asthma medication in the previous three months because of its cost.
Combination inhalers, the 'gold standard' for asthma control, cost between €65 and €85 each and are going up in price, ASI chief executive Eilís Ní Chaithnín told The Irish Times.
'It may seem manageable, but it's not for a quarter of the people who responded to our survey', said Ms Ní Chaithnín. 'People are really struggling.' This is especially acute at pinch points, such as the beginning of the new school term when people have extra household costs, she said.
The ASI said the price of medication combined with
cost-of-living
pressures have caused an 'affordability crisis' for the estimated 450,000 people living with asthma in Ireland.
READ MORE
Of the 627 patients or their parents who respondent to ASI's survey, 56 per cent said they had experienced difficulties making ends meet.
The cost burden on people with severe asthma, which requires much greater amounts of medication to control it, is even higher.
'That's €80 a month for the rest of my life, it's a financial commitment,' said Emily Smyth, who was diagnosed with severe asthma in her 20s and is a recipient of the drug payment scheme.
'[Medication is] not something you can forgo safely. But people are backed into a corner and have to choose between paying their mortgage, their bills or their medication,' Ms Smyth said.
[
Hay fever and asthma sufferers face more severe symptoms due to agricultural fertilisers - study
Opens in new window
]
ASI's submission describes 'systemic gaps' in asthma diagnosis and treatment which create a long-term financial burden from poorer health outcomes.
The organisation is calling on the Government to allocate €14 million to subsidise asthma medications in 2026.
Prof Marcus Butler, medical director at ASI, said subsidisation of inhalers was important because '[they] are proven to be extremely effective in controlling asthma and reducing symptoms which, of course, has a positive knock-on effect for the patient and the healthcare system.'
'The most recent CSO figures available to us show that 87 people died from asthma in 2022, with provisional figures indicating this trend has continued into 2023 and 2024. The majority of these deaths are preventable', he said.
The society also suggests that the threshold for the drugs payment scheme be reduced by €8 to €72 and that prescription charges for medical card holders be abolished, at an estimated cost of €84.5 million to the exchequer.
They want further attention to be paid to severe asthma patients and free home energy upgrades for people with chronic respiratory conditions at risk of energy poverty.
'By these relatively inexpensive measures the Government can enhance the lives of those hundreds of thousands [of asthma patients]. We've been calling on the Government for years to subsidise medication and today we're offering a very pragmatic approach," Ms Ní Chaithnín said.
'Financial barriers should never be a reason that we don't seek healthcare', Ms Smyth said.
'We should all have access to care, we should all have access to medication.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
9 hours ago
- Irish Times
Liver cancer: ‘The saddest part is that most of the cases are preventable'
Liver cancer kills more than 700,000 people each year. However, three in five cases could be prevented, according to a comprehensive analysis published in the journal Lancet. The research found that prevention could be accomplished by addressing the disease's major causes – hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcohol -associated liver disease and liver disease linked to metabolic risk factors such as obesity . With nearly 900,000 new cases globally each year, liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of death from cancer. If cases continue to rise at the current rate, the number of new annual diagnoses will almost double, rising to 1.5 million globally in 2050, the study predicted. There are two broad categories of liver cancer – primary liver cancer and metastatic (secondary) liver cancer. About 370 people are diagnosed with primary liver cancer each year in Ireland. It is twice as common in men than it is in women. READ MORE The researchers estimated that liver disease from alcohol use and metabolic dysfunction together would account for nearly a third of new liver cancer cases by 2050. The findings align with what liver specialists have seen in their clinics for years. 'Liver cancer is common. It causes immense suffering and death, and the saddest part for me as a physician is that most of the cases are preventable,' said Dr Brian Lee, an associate professor of medicine, who was not involved in the study. Improved screening, vaccination and treatment in recent years have helped stem viral hepatitis. But the threat of liver cancer from heavy alcohol use and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, 'has been underrecognised and underestimated,' said Dr Ahmed Kaseb, a professor of gastrointestinal medical oncology. A vast majority of liver cancers arise in people with cirrhosis, says Dr Hashem El-Serag, chairman of the department of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas and one of the authors of the new study. Cirrhosis, or advanced and largely irreversible scarring of the liver, damages healthy tissue and prevents the organ from working normally. [ Doctors share 19 tips for looking after your liver: Don't drink alcohol every day, but do drink coffee, and lose weight Opens in new window ] The hepatitis B and C viruses cause inflammation that, if left untreated, can scar and damage the liver, potentially leading to cirrhosis. And both alcohol and metabolic dysfunction lead to abnormal deposits of fat in the liver, which can also result in inflammation. Dr Lee says the accumulation of fat and inflammation acts as a 'highway' to liver scarring, which in turn can injure DNA and lead to cancer. 'There could be multiple ramps to get on to that highway,' he said. The new paper found that the share of liver cancers resulting from hepatitis B and hepatitis C is expected to drop to 63 per cent in 2050, from 68 per cent in 2022. But the burden of liver cancers resulting from alcohol and MASLD is expected to grow. An estimated four in 10 adults worldwide have MASLD, a condition in which fat builds up in the liver. Risk factors include obesity and Type 2 diabetes. A subset of patients with MASLD will go on to develop an advanced form called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, or MASH, which has been described as a silent killer because it can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer without being noticed. Current guidance recommends monitoring for liver cancers in patients who have a history of viral hepatitis or established cirrhosis. Patients with MASH typically don't meet that criteria, Dr Kaseb said, but they could have liver scarring without symptoms, and nobody would know. That's why screening for liver disease needs to begin at the primary care level, where cases can easily go undetected, said Dr Mary Rinella, a hepatologist at University of Chicago Medicine and the lead author of guidelines for the management of MASLD. She recommended that doctors use a metric called the Fib-4, which uses routine blood test results to estimate the amount of liver scarring, to screen high-risk patients. These include people who have Type 2 diabetes or obesity with at least one other metabolic risk factor, such as high cholesterol. [ 'A serious threat to public health': Doctors warn about delay to mandatory alcohol health labels Opens in new window ] MASLD is reversible with lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and increased exercise, and weight-loss drugs have recently been shown to be effective at reversing scarring as well. 'If you stop the reason or the impetus for scarring and injury in the liver, then you're going to have less impetus for the development of cancer,' says Dr Rinella. There is no national liver cancer screening programme in Ireland, so it's important to talk to your doctor about surveillance if you have a liver disease such as hepatitis B or C, genetic haemochromatosis or liver cirrhosis, as the risk of liver cancer is higher. [ Parents facilitating a 16-year-old's 'prinks' is a sign of our weird relationship with alcohol Opens in new window ] Alcohol-related liver disease is also on the rise. In research published in July , Dr Lee and his colleagues showed that the risk of alcohol-related liver disease among heavy drinkers (at least 10 drinks per week for women and 15 for men) in the United States more than doubled between 1999 and 2020, despite similar alcohol use over that period. That suggests that heavy drinkers today may be more sensitive to the effects of alcohol on the liver than those in the past, Dr Lee said. In Ireland, while average alcohol consumption per adult has shown signs of falling, the incidence of binge drinking continues to be pronounced. Drinking heavily and having a metabolic condition such as obesity can independently damage the liver, but patients who fall in both categories are at an especially high risk. These trends are likely to continue. 'Alcohol use is increasing,' says Dr Rinella. 'Obesity and diabetes are increasing.' 'I expect that we're going to continue to see a high burden of liver disease,' she added. – This article originally appeared in the New York Times
Irish Times
10 hours ago
- Irish Times
14 tips to prevent and treat insect bites and stings
A downside to hot weather is all the bugs that can feast on or sting us. Is there anything you can do to avoid this? And what should you do if you are attacked? Here's what pharmacists have to say about the best ways to prevent and treat stings and bites. Know which bugs to be wary of Pest controllers in Britain have warned of a rise in wasp activity due to recent heatwaves, something that is borne out by pharmacists. 'I am definitely seeing more wasps around at the moment,' says Claire Nevinson, senior pharmacist at Boots. 'We have seen an increase in people presenting with infected insect bites since April.' 'It is a bit of a shock when you are stung by a wasp,' says independent pharmacist Ian Budd. 'It is painful and, if you're unlucky, it can trigger an allergic reaction. Hornets and bees are less aggressive. Horsefly bites can cause inflammation and sometimes infection, because it is difficult to stop scratching them. Then there are midges.' There are mosquitoes in Ireland and Britain , although not the kind that carry malaria; however, they can still cause issues, says Budd. 'And we have ticks, in grassy and wooded areas, some of which carry Lyme disease.' READ MORE It is important to be more vigilant when you are in certain environments, says Virginia Chachati, a registered pharmacist and public health content creator. 'Midges and mosquitoes tend to be in forests and long grasses,' she says, so you need to watch out if you are camping or hiking. Some bugs are drawn to other animals, she adds: 'If you're visiting farm animals and want to pet them, just be aware that they may be carrying ticks.' Midges and mosquitoes can also be found anywhere there is still water, adds Chachati. 'Wherever there's water, even a puddle that sits for a long time, bugs can lay eggs and then multiply very quickly – in a few hours or days. So make sure you don't have still water around. Drain paddling pools after use. If the bugs are hungry, they will come and bite you.' Nevinson says you should take particular precautions if you're out in the morning or as the sun goes down. 'That is when the mosquitoes and midges will be at their worst.' Cover up with light, loose clothing 'Make sure you wear long sleeves and long trousers, particularly if you're camping or outdoors a lot,' says Nevinson. Anything not covered could be open to attack. Budd says: 'It is quite common to get bitten around the ankles and wrists – anywhere exposed is at risk.' [ Laura Kennedy: Long-haul flight tips from snore-proof ear plugs to tummy-friendly food Opens in new window ] Chachati advises wearing light colours. 'Some bugs, especially hornets, can be really attracted to darker colours because they're trying to hide from predators,' she says. 'If you're walking through long grass and you are wearing white trousers, it is also much easier to see if ticks have latched on to your trousers, and then you can easily pick them off. Definitely wear a hat as well, because some people get bites on their scalp, especially if they don't have hair.' Keep colours neutral, as 'yellow and bright colours can attract wasps', she says. Don't irritate wasps 'Sadly, it is just being in the wrong place at the wrong time with a wasp,' says Nevinson. 'Wasps will be particularly attracted if you're having a picnic. If there is food around, the wasps will hover around it.' With wasps, staying still is a good idea, rather than flapping your arms. Photograph: iStock 'If you're waving your hands around,' says Chachati, 'those air currents are going to really bother them and knock them out of the air, and they don't want to be knocked, so they're going to do whatever they can to defend themselves. Staying really still is a good idea.' This is easier said than done: 'If they land on you, you could use a piece of paper to gently slide under it, and put a see-through cup on top. Then take it away and release it.' Wear repellent Chachati has worked in travel clinics: 'Deet would be the number one thing I recommend, including for children. Use the highest percentage that you can tolerate without it irritating the skin.' In some places, 'if you get bitten, you can get diseases like malaria, dengue fever, Zika and tick-borne encephalitis. If you can't use Deet, there are other repellents such as icaridin and IR3535.' 'Deet is a really effective insect repellent,' says Budd. 'But there are questions about whether it is environmentally responsible for it to be used in large quantities. There are alternatives, like some citronella-based insect repellents, which are kinder to the environment. If you are still getting bitten with those, maybe move to the chemical ones.' Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent. Photograph: iStock 'Always put on your sunscreen, then put your insect repellent on top,' says Chachati. 'When they land on you, they will be repelled by the insect repellent, because that is the outermost layer you've applied on your skin. Deet can lower the sun protection factor of the sunscreen, so you will need to reapply it more often.' It can also transfer ink to your skin, so be careful when handling printed matter while wearing it, says Chachati. Go fragrance-free 'It is a myth that only dirty people get bitten,' says Budd. 'Bugs are drawn to scents, not bad hygiene.' 'Don't wear perfumes, deodorants or moisturisers that are heavily scented,' says Chachati. 'These can attract bugs to you, because you smell like flowers.' Drinking alcohol could make you more attractive to mosquitos. Photograph: iStock Possibly avoid alcohol 'There was a very small study in 2002 where they tested whether or not drinking beer would make mosquitoes more likely to bite you,' says Chachati. 'Out of 13 people, the majority of them did get bites from mosquitoes [after beer ingestion compared with before ingestion]. So avoid drinking beer at barbecues,' which can be challenging, she concedes. Budd says it is also a myth that drinking gin and tonic is helpful: 'Originally, in countries where there was malaria, people would have loads of tonic water because they believed the quinine in the tonic protected them – you'd have to drink a lot of tonic water for it to be effective.' Clean bites and stings before treating If you do get a bite or sting, 'it is always best to wash the skin with soap and water to try to avoid any bacteria getting inside the wound,' says Chachati. 'If you don't have access to soap and water, you can use antiseptic wipes or cream.' 'In the main, if you just have a simple bite or a sting, it will sort itself out,' says Nevinson. 'If there is swelling, cold compresses are really good. If it's on a limb, keep it raised to prevent that swelling getting any worse.' 'Hydrocortisone cream is really good for inflammation,' says Budd. If you want to try something more natural, lavender or tea-tree oil 'may deter the insects, but they're also natural antiseptics once you've been bitten. Aloe vera is cooling and anti-inflammatory.' Don't scratch 'Antihistamine creams or tablets can really help with the itching, because scratching that itch makes it worse,' says Budd. 'It increases the inflammation and your risk of infection. When you're scratching the skin, you are interfering with the natural skin barrier, and you can be introducing bacteria into the inflamed area by taking away all the top layers of cells.' Use fine tweezers to remove a tick, grabbing it really close to the skin Remove stings and ticks carefully 'When a tick bites, the whole animal is attached to you,' says Budd. 'Use fine-tip tweezers, grab it really close to the skin, and pull upwards slowly with a steady and even force. Clean the area afterwards with soap and water.' Nevinson says: 'If a red ring appears around the bite, that is an indication that it could be Lyme disease, and it's really important you seek medical help. As long as it is treated quickly, it can be easily dealt with.' Chachati recommends keeping the tick to be tested. [ Ticks in Ireland: Lyme disease-carrying insects are coming for us and they're likely to hang around longer too Opens in new window ] 'Don't use tweezers for a bee sting,' says Budd, 'because you can push more venom into your skin. Scrape it sideways, either with your [clean] fingernail or a bank card. When you get stung by a bee, the sting continues to pump venom, even when the bee is gone. So you definitely need to remove that. Wasps and hornets do not leave a stinger in the skin after they have stung you, they have retractable stingers.' Take antimalarials 'Malaria can kill you,' says Chachati. Mosquitoes kill more people than any other creature in the world because of the various diseases they carry and it is essential to take antimalarials if you are going to a region where malaria is carried by mosquitoes. 'Look at a malaria map or the Fit for Travel website and always speak to a professional about which antimalarials to take.' Know when to seek medical help 'Your individual reaction to proteins in the saliva of the bug that has bitten you or the venom from a sting can cause an allergic reaction,' says Budd, 'from mild swelling to severe anaphylaxis, where it starts affecting your breathing and your tongue is swelling. This is usually picked up early on in life and you will need to carry an EpiPen. For a mild allergic reaction, an antihistamine or hydrocortisone cream should help. If you are experiencing difficulty breathing, dizziness or swelling of the face, seek emergency help.' [ From the archive: How to deal with health issues that arise when we travel abroad Opens in new window ] Also see a doctor if, 'a couple of days after being bitten or stung, you notice that there is pus, a hot, swollen red area around the bite that is noticeably spreading, or if you develop a fever, as these can be signs of infection,' says Budd. Ceiling fans disturb airflow, making it harder for bugs to land on you. Photograph: iStock Disturb the airflow 'Keep the air conditioning or ceiling fan on,' says Chachati, 'because that disturbs the airflow, so it stops mosquitoes from being able to land. It also makes the room cool, which they dislike, and disperses carbon dioxide, making it difficult for mosquitoes to detect humans.' Keep windows closed for this to be effective, she says, 'and definitely use a mosquito net over your bed and windows'. Take a shower 'Bugs are attracted to body heat and sweat,' says Budd. 'If your skin is warmer, you are more likely to attract bugs. If you have been exercising, there might be more lactic acid in your sweat, and insects are attracted to that, too.' Some people are just more delicious than others 'There is no specific reason why one person gets bitten more than another,' says Nevinson, 'but you often hear people talking about being prone to bites. It is likely to be to do with the skin type and the scent on the skin, which could be a result of a number of different things, diet or hormone-related.' Budd explains: 'Everyone has their own unique skin microbiome and it can make you either less or more attractive to biting insects. Your genetics can influence this. For some reason, people with blood type O may attract more mosquitoes.' He adds: 'Being pregnant could make you more attractive to biting insects because your skin temperature can be warmer.' Chachati says: 'It depends on your immune system and how you react to bites. Some people might be more sensitive compared with others. Mosquito bites may be worse in certain parts of the world that you are not used to being in, depending on how your immune system reacts. The first few bites may be quite a difficult experience to go through and then, if you get bitten again later in the holiday, it may not be as bad because your body knows how to handle it better.' – Guardian
Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Former Mater Private CEO Fergus Clancy leaves €15.8 million estate
The former chief executive of the Mater Private Network of hospitals and clinics Fergus Clancy left an estate valued at €15.8 million, according to documents published by the Probate Office this week. Mr Clancy, of Lagore Road, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath , died aged in his late 50s at the Mater hospital in April 2024. The married father of two began his professional life in the post room of insurance company Church & General before gaining experience handling medical malpractice cases. He went on to establish his own consultancy, Circa Healthcare Consulting. He also proposed a centralised State insurance scheme for doctors that was then adopted by former minister for health Brian Cowen . Following the sale of his consultancy to Aon, Mr Clancy became chief executive of the Mater Private Network in 2005, later taking the role of executive chairman. The Fergus Clancy Bursary for Healthcare Leadership and Entrepreneurship is awarded by the Future Health Summit to fully fund a person's masters in healthcare leadership. The summit says the bursary is in honour of 'our friend and colleague Fergus Clancy who showed such ambition, passion, determination and leadership in Irish healthcare over his long and distinguished career'. Meanwhile, Mervyn Howard Heatley, of Ballyman Road, Bray , Co Wicklow , a farmer who was noted for his collection of steam traction engines and vintage tractors, left an estate valued at €12.17 million, when he died in October last year. Farmer and classic car enthusiast Mervyn Howard Heatley left more than €12 million in his will. Photograph: Mr Heatley, known as Howard, was a supporter of the Enniskerry Festival's Victorian Field Day, which was held on his farm on a number of occasions. His son, also called Mervyn, runs a vintage car dealership called Classic Prestige Cars, which is based at Ballyman Road, Bray. The will of Mary Keegan, Dogstown, Trim , Co Meath, outlined an estate valued at €5.2 million when she died in February 2024. Ms Keegan was the widow of quarrying company executive Dessie Keegan. Jonathan Griffin, who also went by John, with an address at Bray Road, Foxrock , died in October 2023, leaving a €3.6 million estate. He was remembered for his attendance at the United Arts Club and time spent living in Chicago. After his death in November 2024, Cornelius Michael O'Riordan, of Meanus, Kilmallock, Co Limerick, left an estate of just more than €3 million. Monica Sheridan Dauer, of Mount Dutton House, Oldcastle, Co Meath, left an estate valued at €2.9 million when she died in August 2024. Eilis (Alice) Tansey, of Avoca Avenue, Blackrock , Co Dublin, who died on March 8th, 2024, left €2.9 million. Edward (Ned) Grace of Seapoint Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin, a retired Smurfit executive, left an estate worth €2.4 million when he died in December 2024. Lucy Mary Teresa Gannon and Kathleen Gannon, of a shared address on Serpentine Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin, each left €1.4 million upon their deaths in December 2020 and November 2022 respectively. Seán Gallagher, of Stillorgan Grove, Blackrock previously of CTT and Enterprise Ireland , left an estate of €1.2 million upon his death in January 2023. The estate figures represent the total value of all assets at the time of a person's death. They typically include the value of a family home or farm and investments.
