Objective

The SABINA (SABA use IN Asthma) program was initiated to describe short-acting ?2-agonists (SABA) prescription patterns and assess the impact of its over-prescription on exacerbation risk and asthma control. We evaluated SABA prescription patterns in patients with asthma in the Indian cohort of SABINA III.

Methods

This multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study included retrospective and real-time electronic data collection. Data were extracted and followed up by the health care professionals for about 1 year. The data included prescriptions of SABA and other asthma treatments and over-the-counter (OTC) purchases of SABA. The study was carried out for 1 year.

Results

A total of 510 patients with asthma were included from specialist care (mean age 49.1?years; 57.65 females), with 8.2% classified with mild asthma and 91.8% with moderate-to-severe asthma. SABA as monotherapy and add-on to maintenance therapy was prescribed to 4.5% (n?=?23) and 44.9% (n?=?229) of patients, respectively. While ICS monotherapy and ICS/LABA were prescribed to 5.1% (n?=?26) and 93.3% (n?=?476) of patients, respectively. SABA was found to be over-prescribed (?3 SABA canisters/year) among 23.9% of patients (n?=?122). Additionally, 8% of patients (n?=?41) purchased SABA OTC without prescription.

Conclusion

Nearly one-fourth of patients with asthma in India were over-prescribed SABA. Educational programmes targeted at national and regional levels should be expanded to raise greater asthma awareness and encourage the adoption of guideline-directed asthma treatment plans among healthcare practitioners.