Janet Ogundepo
The Nigerian Thoracic Society has called on the Federal Government to include life-saving asthma medications in the National Health Insurance Authority and state health insurance schemes to curb complications and deaths resulting from poor access to treatment.
In a statement issued on Tuesday to mark 2026 World Asthma Day, the society said the rising cost of inhalers, particularly anti-inflammatory medications, has placed life-saving care beyond the reach of many patients.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Access to Anti-inflammatory Inhalers for Everyone with Asthma – Still an Urgent Need.”
The society noted that asthma remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, affecting over 15 million people, many of whom continue to suffer avoidable attacks, hospitalisation, and death despite available treatment.
PUNCH Healthwise previously reported that pulmonologists raised concerns about the high cost of anti-inflammatory inhalers, warning that it could lead to inappropriate treatment and poor disease control.
The NTS asserted that the high cost of anti-inflammatory inhalers, which is the recommended treatment for long-term asthma control, has made many asthmatics rely solely on reliever inhalers that address symptoms without treating the underlying inflammation driving the disease, leading to a worsened burden of the disease.
The statement signed by the National President, Prof. Musa Babashani and Secretary General, Dr Oluwafemi Ojo, read, “The NTS notes with concern that the escalating cost of essential medications—specifically inhaled corticosteroids—has placed life-saving treatment out of reach for the average citizen.
“Asthma is primarily an inflammatory disease of the airways. While “blue” reliever inhalers provide temporary relief, they do not treat the underlying inflammation. The 2026 theme emphasises that anti-inflammatory inhalers (preventers) are the cornerstone of treatment.”
The NTS president said access to proper asthma care is not only a medical issue but also a matter of equity.
“Every Nigerian living with asthma, from pre-school children to the elderly, deserves access to evidence-based care. We cannot continue to rely solely on reliever medications while the underlying inflammation remains untreated. This is not just a medical issue; it is a matter of equity and human rights,” he said.
To address the gap, the society urged the Federal and State Governments to include combination inhaled corticosteroids in health insurance drug lists at subsidised rates to improve affordability and access.
It also called on healthcare professionals to prioritise the prescription of anti-inflammatory therapies and ensure patients are properly educated on correct inhaler use and adherence to treatment.
NTS further appealed to pharmaceutical companies to boost local production and strengthen distribution systems to prevent stockouts and reduce the soaring cost of inhalers.
“To the Federal and State Governments: We urge the inclusion of essential asthma medications, specifically combination inhaled corticosteroids, in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the state Health Insurance Schemes’ drug list at subsidised rates to improve accessibility and affordability.
“To Healthcare Professionals: We call on clinicians in the country to prioritise the prescription of anti-inflammatory therapies and provide thorough patient education on proper inhaler techniques and adherence to prescription.
“To the Pharmaceutical Sector: We advocate for increased local production, improved distribution logistic management chains to prevent stockouts and to stabilise the soaring costs of inhalers in the Nigerian market,” the NTS demanded.
The society further pushed back against persistent misconceptions about the disease, stressing that asthma was neither a spiritual attack nor a contagious condition.
It advised Nigerians to seek medical evaluation for symptoms such as persistent cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath, stressing that asthma is a manageable condition.
“Asthma is not a spiritual attack or a contagious disease; it is a manageable medical condition. We encourage anyone experiencing a chronic cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath to seek an evaluation from a qualified respiratory specialist,” the statement said.
The society added that as part of activities to mark the week, its members would conduct free asthma screenings at selected teaching hospitals and organise public awareness webinars on trigger identification and proper inhaler use.
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