Asthma medicine showing promise, charity says

Asthma UK has confirmed that a trial involving the drug Fevipiprant, has shown promise in reducing inflammation of the airways in asthma sufferers.

The study, published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal examined 60 patients who had severe asthma despite being treated with steroid inhalers. Half of the group received Fevipiprant, while the remaining 30 were given a placebo drug.

The findings of the research showed that patients who took the experimental drug had less inflammatory blood cells in their phlegm and airways.

Meanwhile, Dr Samantha Walker at Asthma UK said: "This research shows massive promise and should be greeted with cautious optimism.

"The possibility of taking a pill instead of using an inhaler will be a very welcome one, particularly as this study focused on people who develop the condition in later life, some of whom we know can struggle with the dexterity required to use an inhaler.

"More research is needed and we're a long way off seeing a pill for asthma being made available over the pharmacy counter, but it's an exciting development."

Professor Stephen Durham, a lung specialist at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, said: "Prof Chris Brightling's group in Leicester provide compelling evidence that the novel tablet treatment has the ability to reduce asthmatic inflammation, increase lung function and improve asthma control in this severe group.

"The data strongly support further studies to see whether Fevipiprant may also reduce the frequency of asthma attacks, avoid steroid tablet side effects and reduce NHS costs in the management of these severely ill patients."

Following the encouraging results of the trial, a larger, long-term trial will be needed to see if the pill can help patients in everyday life.