- As hay fever season fast approaches, increased pollen levels due to El Niño and climate change can come as a concern for Australians living with allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
- Today, Viatris Australia has announced the first two-in-one fixed dose combination nasal spray for hay fever – DYMISTA® Allergy – to be available without a prescription, to better support patients to access effective treatment and get back to life faster.
- DYMISTA® Allergy contains two active ingredients azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate which in combination were previously classified as an S4 (Prescription Only Medicine) treatment.
- The announcement follows the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) down scheduling Dymista from a S4 (Prescription Only Medicine) treatment to an S2 (Pharmacy Medicine), meaning patients with moderate to severe hay fever will be able to walk into a pharmacy and access an effective option without needing a prescription.
13 September 2023, SYDNEY, Australia – Hay fever sufferers usually dread the onset of Spring, but improved access to a combination therapy previously only available with a prescription may be set to make hay fever season more enjoyable.
Approximately 1 in 5 (or 4.5 million) Australians suffer from allergic rhinitis (hay fever)1 with most of this population experiencing moderate to severe symptoms that can have a debilitating impact on their quality of life, beyond just a sneeze.2 In fact, up to 80% of sufferers can feel tired, 65% feel miserable and 64% feel irritable.3
As Australia enters one of its driest periods due to El Niño and experiences the highest prevalence of hay fever globally due to climate change4, the increased access to the DYMISTA® Allergy two-in-one combination therapy presents a new defense in the arsenal of hay fever sufferers and addresses the unmet need for accessible treatment.
Concerningly, many patients are on multiple therapies which are self-selected and not at the advice of healthcare professionals. Research on adult sufferers shows they tend to manage their condition in a haphazard way, with limited success.5
The onset of allergic rhinitis can take hold within minutes, so it is vital for patients to access prompt treatment. DYMISTA ALLERGY can now be accessed without prescription and works from 5 minutes following first use.6
Research from the Woolcock Institute has found that patients tend to grab medication they’re familiar with off the supermarket or pharmacy shelf without consultation. Sadly, that means sufferers are often not using the best medication to treat their symptoms. Many Australians living with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis, in fact almost nine out of ten patients3,4 may require a two in one combination therapy such as DYMISTA ALLERGY to effectively manage their condition.
DYMISTA ALLERGY is the first and only combination allergy treatment currently available in Australia without prescription due to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) down-scheduling of the product in 2023.
“As allergic rhinitis is one of the most common chronic medical conditions in Australia this change is very welcome news for healthcare professionals and their patients. With patients at the heart of what we do, we are proud to have worked alongside the TGA to have made access to effective treatment faster and more convenient for people living with allergic rhinitis,” said Sylvain Vigneault, Viatris Australia Country Manager.
DYMISTA ALLERGY 2-in-1 combination therapy is now available without a script at all Australian pharmacies.
Media Contact:
Alicia Campagnolo
Communications Manager, Viatris Australia and New Zealand
M: 0449 902 687
E: alicia.campagnolo@viatris.com
ASMI Disclaimer
It’s important for all patients to speak to their healthcare professional about finding the right treatment for their circumstance or condition. As there are many allergic rhinitis treatments available over the counter or from your pharmacist, your doctor and pharmacist will be able to advise you how to use hay fever treatments most effectively and which product is best to treat the symptoms you are having the most problems with.
Notes to Editors
About DYMISTA® ALLERGY
DYMISTA® ALLERGY Nasal Spray is sprayed into the nose to treat moderate to severe allergic rhinitis (hay fever and other allergies affecting the nose) for up to 6 months in adults and children 12 years and older. It relieves sneezing and runny, itchy, or blocked nose. This medicine contains two active ingredients: azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate.
Azelastine hydrochloride belongs to a group of medicines called antihistamines. Antihistamines work by preventing the effects of substances such as histamine that the body produces as part of an allergic reaction. This reduces symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Fluticasone propionate belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids which are used to help reduce inflammation. DYMISTA ALLERGY provides rapid nasal symptom relief from 5 minutes.
DYMISTA® is a Viatris company trademark. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
About Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic Rhinitis (hay fever) is an inflammation or swelling of the nose lining which may cause blockage, runny nose, itching and/ or sneezing. Patients may have symptoms only during spring or summer. This type of allergy is generally due to various pollens. Some people may experience symptoms all year round. This is usually caused by house dust mites, pets, or moulds.6
About Viatris
Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ: VTRS) is a global pharmaceutical company empowering people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life. We provide access to medicines, advance sustainable operations, develop innovative solutions and leverage our collective expertise to connect more people to more products and services through our one-of-a-kind Global Healthcare Gateway®. Formed in November 2020, Viatris brings together scientific, manufacturing and distribution expertise with proven regulatory, medical, and commercial capabilities to deliver high-quality medicines to patients in more than 165 countries and territories. Viatris' portfolio comprises more than 1,400 approved molecules across a wide range of therapeutic areas, spanning both non-communicable and infectious diseases, including globally recognised brands, complex generic and branded medicines, a portfolio of biosimilars and a variety of over-the-counter consumer products. With approximately 37,000 colleagues globally, Viatris is headquartered in the U.S., with global centers in Pittsburgh, Shanghai and Hyderabad, India. Learn more at viatris.com and investor.viatris.com.
1 AIHW. Allergic rhinitis ('hay fever'). Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-respiratory-conditions/allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever/contents/allergic-rhinitis.
2 Mayo Clinic. Hay fever. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20373039.
3 World Allergy Organisation. WAO White Book on Allergy. 2013. Available at https://www.worldallergy.org/UserFiles/file/WhiteBook2-2013-v8.pdf. Accessed August 2023.
4 https://www.phrp.com.au/issues/december-2018-volume-28-issue-4/climate-change-and-allergy-in-australia-an-innovative-high-income-country-at-potential-risk/.
5 BMJ Open. Impact of allergic rhinitis on the day- to- day lives of children: insights from an Australian cross- sectional study. Available at: https://www.woolcock.org.au/news/hay-fever-nothing-to-sneeze-at-specialists.
6 Consumer Medicine Information. Available at: https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/artg/407306.