Lay summary
Asthma treatment in New Zealand has changed significantly in recent years, in response to clinical trials which have shown that anti-inflammatory reliever therapy using the budesonide/formoterol two-in-one inhaler, also known as the ‘anti-inflammatory reliever' (AIR), prevents asthma attacks. This therapeutic approach was recommended in the NZ Asthma Guidelines in 2020 and there has been widespread uptake in NZ. However, there is some evidence that the traditional salbutamol reliever inhaler (SABA) is being co-prescribed alongside AIR, which potentially undermines the benefits of this new treatment. This study will examine how people who use AIR are using "back pocket" SABA, including where and how they are getting it, when they are using it and why. Asthma patients will undertake a survey and semi-structured interviews. This information will help to us to develop strategies to reduce use of the SABA and get the most benefit out of the new AIR regimen.