Several large hospitals in Russia have been found using high levels of Short-acting β 2-agonists (SABA) in asthmatic patients, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.  According to a recent study carried out by researchers from the South Ural State Medical University, Chelyabinsk, Russia, and several other hospitals in the country, the statistical analysis of the Russian population (618 patients recruited in 12 centres) from the SABINA III study found at least 37 percent of patients with over-prescription of SABA.  The team stressed on the need to reduce SABA overuse and improve overall asthma control in Russia which would require educating not just the patients but also the doctors, while actively implementing up-to-date asthma treatments.