Asthma, a chronic disease characterised by inflammation of the airways, imposes a substantial economic burden on society. The current standard of care for treating asthma comprises inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting β-agonists and leukotriene modifiers, as well as combinations of these agents. Research presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) [March 2004; San Francisco, California, US] suggests that salmeterol/fluticasone propionate administered via a single inhaler is potentially cost saving compared with fluticasone propionate and salmeterol administered concurrently via separate inhalers.