Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways and a serious public health worldwide problem, affecting people of all ages, with an estimate of 300 millions affected individuals.When uncontrolled, asthma can place severe limits on daily life, and can sometimes be fatal.~There are two major classes of inhaled therapy for the treatment of reversible obstructive airways disease: antinflammatory agents and bronchodilators. In particular, BDP 250 mcg plus salbutamol 100 mcg in fixed combination is an effective and safe method to control symptoms of persistent asthma in adults.~This study has been designed to compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of a new BDP 250 mcg/salbutamol 100 mcg HFA pMDI fixed combination with the same CFC-formulated fixed combination, which is on the market from some decades.The HFA propelled product is developed to replace the CFC formulation already marketed according to the European Union's Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMP) Note for Guidance (III/5378/93 - Final) in order to prevent from depletion of stratospheric ozone.~The primary objective of this trial is to demonstrate that the test treatment BDP 250 mcg/salbutamol 100 mcg HFA pMDI fixed combination is non-inferior to BDP 250 mcg/salbutamol 100 mcg pMDI fixed combination given with the conventional CFC propellant (Clenil® Compositum 250, Chiesi Farmaceutici) in terms of Pulmonary Function (morning PEF).~Given the aim of the study, the population to be monitored includes adult patients with persistent asthma according to the current guidelines. The treatment period will be preceded by a 2-week run-in period. Subjects satisfying all the inclusion and exclusion criteria will then enter the 12-week treatment period. Clinic visits will take place at the start and end of the run-in period, and after 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after randomisation.
The purpose of this trial is to verify if the test treatment BDP 250 mcg/salbutamol 100 mcg HFA pMDI fixed combination is non-inferior to BDP 250 mcg/salbutamol 100 mcg pMDI fixed combination given with the conventional CFC propellant (Clenil® Compositum 250, Chiesi Farmaceutici) in terms of Pulmonary Function (morning PEF).