GSK encourages patients to act on their asthma symptoms 

GSK Sri Lanka Head of Medical Dr. Chatura Jayakody

Sri Lanka College of Pulmonologists Joint Secretary Dr. Bodhika Samarasekera

GSK Sri Lanka Respiratory Brand Manager  Prasad Magammana

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a science-led global healthcare company, is following-up its efforts of raising awareness on the importance of managing asthma symptoms with its “Act Don’t React” initiative this World Asthma Day, observed on 3 May.

World Asthma Day, organised annually by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), aims to raise the awareness of asthma worldwide with the theme for 2022 being ‘Closing Gaps in Asthma Care’. GSK’s “Act Don’t React” initiative is aligned with that theme as it continues to improve communication and education on asthma, as well as drive equal access to care.

Rooted in science to help patients with asthma enjoy a better quality of life, the “Act Don’t React” initiative was launched in 2021 and has evolved to include patient stories.

Featuring Lucy’s inspiring asthma journey, GSK hopes to encourage patients living with asthma to work with their healthcare providers and enable a better quality of life despite their asthma.

According to research, many asthma patients are putting up with the interruption of their symptoms, with a survey finding that 71% of patients thought their asthma was well controlled despite regularly experiencing symptoms.

“Asthma is a condition where your airways narrow and swell due to inflammation. For some people, it interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. As every cloud has a silver lining, the good thing in asthma is, it can be fully controlled to have a near normal life with treatment. Inhalers are playing a pivotal role in asthma prophylaxis and relieving symptoms since they are mainly targeting airways with less side effects. There were Olympic athletes who achieved Gold while living with asthma,” Sri Lanka College of Pulmonologist Joint Secretary Dr. Bodhika Samarasekera said. 

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that many patients view their asthma symptoms as a ‘normal’ aspect of their lives and resign themselves to the belief that regular asthma attacks are simply part of their condition. This is something we are aiming to change this World Asthma Day. Asthma attacks can be fatal, but even mild ones can prevent people from living their lives and fulfilling their potential. Hence, with our “Act Don’t React” initiative, we hope to inspire patients to take action by educating themselves about the disease, speaking to their doctors and taking their asthma medication as prescribed to minimise the chance of symptoms striking,” said GSK Sri Lank Head of Medical Dr. Chatura Jayakody. Since the World Asthma Day 2022, GSK has had a series of videos that revolve around Lucy, a 20-year-old university student living in the UK. Lucy, who loves playing football, was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 10 and has managed her condition ever since. 

“We are proud to share Lucy’s inspiring stories with everyone worldwide. We hope that other patients who are still struggling with their asthma will be encouraged by her and will take action to manage their asthma symptoms by speaking with their doctor. At GSK, we are constantly looking for ways to educate individuals with the right information and encourage them to act on their health with their doctors,” said GSK Sri Lanka Respiratory Brand Manager Prasad Magammana.

“This year the World Asthma Day theme of ‘Closing Gaps in Asthma Care’ drives home the importance of the need for a collective approach in managing an asthma patient. I congratulate GSK for its initiative in contributing to this patient education forum and value the positive message given out to the community” said Sri Lanka College of Pulmonologists President Dr. Ravini De Silva Karunathilake.