The use of anti-asthmatic medications among pediatric patients in Taiwan

Purpose. To describe the use of anti-asthma drugs in Taiwanese pediatric patients. Methods. Using the data from the database of Bureau of National Health Insurance, we analyze the patterns and extent of medication use among asthma patients less than 18 years old. Drugs were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification system. Results. Data on a total of 290 467 children were included in the study. Overall, patients were treated more frequently with oral medications. 69.43 and 40.24% of patients were using oral β-agonists (OBAs) and methylxanthines respectively. Monotherapy with OBAs was the most popular regimen, accounting for 13.70% of the total prescriptions studied. Only 6.70% of patients were taking inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs). During the studied period, users of ICSs were using an average of 1.65 canisters. Conclusions. The current practices of asthma management in Taiwan fall short of the goals stated in international guidelines. Anti-inflammatory agents were being underused in Taiwanese pediatric patients.