30-07-2025
Asthma Society urges action in Budget to address affordability of medication
A quarter of asthma patients have skipped essential medication due to financial pressure in the last three months, according to the Asthma Society of Ireland.
Ireland has one of the highest asthma rates globally, with 450,000 people affected — the fourth highest per capita rate in the world.
Asthma imposes a heavy financial burden, with some medications costing up to €80 a month, and mortality and hospitalisation rates remain significantly higher than EU averages, with half of those with asthma showing signs of poor asthma control.
New survey data from the organisation shows that 24 per cent of respondents reported going without asthma medication at least once in the past three months because they couldn't afford it.
The Asthma Society is now urging the government to take decisive action in Budget 2026 to address the affordability crisis impacting people with asthma.
Further data shows more than half (56 per cent) experienced difficulties making ends meet, with a quarter of respondents (25 per cent) going into arrears on mortgage or rental payments, utility bills, hire purchase or other loan payments at least once over the previous 12 months.
Launching its Pre-Budget Submission 2026, Backing Every Breath, Building Better Care, the Asthma Society of Ireland is seeking urgent investment in three priority areas — affordable medication, expanded asthma care services and staffing, and targeted home energy upgrades to improve indoor air quality for people with asthma.
'The survey finding that so many people with asthma are having it difficult to make ends meet is, unfortunately, a surprise to no one in the asthma community,' said Eilís Ní Chaithnía, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland.
'Asthma imposes a heavy financial burden, with some medications costing up to €80 a month.
'With a combination of targeted investment and taxation measures, we can bring asthma under control, reduce exacerbations, hospitalisations and preventable deaths, and improve quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people in Ireland. But it will also require political will.
'An overwhelming majority (96 per cent) of those who responded to our survey said that they want the Government to take action in the upcoming Budget to reduce the financial burden of asthma on households.
'Simply put, they need this Government to make sure that they can take their asthma medications as prescribed, access specialist and diagnostic care when they need it, and live in homes that don't make them sick,' Ms Ní Chaithnía continued. Case Study
Emily Smyth, 33, was diagnosed with severe asthma in her early 20s.
Originally from Ballsbridge in Dublin, Emily experienced an episode of acute shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing.
A GP confirmed it was an asthma attack and referred her to a respiratory consultant.
'Today I am on biologic therapy, two daily inhalers and regular antibiotics,' Emily said.
She believes that patients have enough to cope with, without adding the unnecessary worry of not being able to afford medication:
'Managing asthma can be difficult and it can impact your life in so many ways,' said Emily.
'Medications enable us to manage symptoms and to live our lives. That's why it's so vital that the cost of treatment be addressed.
'Over 60 per cent of people in the Asthma Society's survey supported universal subsidisation of asthma medications, something I completely agree with," Emily said.
'As a healthcare professional myself, I'm also passionate about the need for specialist care for asthma.
'I'm extremely lucky to be under the wing of a severe asthma clinic team and the care that I have received has been truly incredible and has transformed my asthma management. An inhaler used for treating asthma (stock image) (Image: PA)
'Knowing that you have a team supporting you, who will ensure that you get the highest standard of care and specialist education is so important.
'However, access should not depend on where you live or be a 'postcode lottery'.
'Expanding specialist and diagnostic care would significantly improve the lives of people with asthma,' said Emily. Key Budget Asks
The submission includes detailed costings and proposals to: Phase in subsidisation of asthma medication, prioritising combination and preventer inhalers (€14 million in Budget 2026).
Reduce the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold by €8 and abolish prescription charges for medical card holders (combined cost of €84.5 million).
Fund a national Severe Asthma Registry (€500,000), recruit an Advanced Nurse Practitioner to every severe asthma clinic and reopen unfilled posts for Respiratory Physiologists around the country.
Expand the Warmer Homes Scheme, to provide free home energy upgrades for people with chronic respiratory conditions at risk of energy poverty (€29.5 million).
Invest in primary prevention through smoking cessation programmes (€29.05 million) and targeted vaccination.
For more information on the supports and services offered by the Asthma Society of Ireland, visit or call the Asthma Adviceline to speak to an asthma specialist nurse or physio on Freefone 1800 44 54 64 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm).
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