HUNDREDS of Australians die every year because they do not take asthma medication as directed, warn respiratory specialists. The National Asthma Campaign (NAC) reports that half of the country's asthmatics are not taking medicines as directed. And one in four asthmatics take their medicine only when they feel "out of control".

This has led to an increased incidence of severe attacks, hospital admis-sions and sometimes even death. The report shows that Australia, with one of the highest asthma rates in the world, has the second highest asthma death rate, with 730 deaths in 1996, down from 964 in 1989.

Experts believe that a half to two-thirds of those deaths were pre-ventable. Christine Jenkins, MAC'S chair-person, said that it is disturbing that so many people are not taking preventive medication correctly.