The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7175 p733-738
24 November 2001

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Call for mucolytics for COPD on NHS

The National Health Service should consider making mucolytic therapy reimbursable on prescription, according to the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin.

November's bulletin reviews the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It concludes that regular use of mucolytic therapy might reduce the frequency and duration of acute exacerbations of COPD.

In terms of other treatments, it states that short-acting inhaled beta₂-agonists improve lung function and relieve breathlessness when used on an as required basis. For patients with inadequately controlled symptoms, regular use of an inhaled antimuscarinic or long-acting beta₂-agonist can help. Combination therapy should only be tried if relief of symptoms is not obtained with optimal use of a single drug and theophylline should only be used when other bronchodilators are ineffective. Inhaled corticosteroids should be reserved for patients with a forced expiratory volume per second of less than 50 per cent of normal and frequent exacerbations (2001;39:81).

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