OBJECTIVES Objective of this analysis was to evaluate the current usage of fixed and free combinations of long-acting b2-agonists (LABA) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) using real-life electronic medical record data. METHODS In a retrospective data analysis using Germany IMS disease analyzer with longitudinal medical records for the period October 2007-September 2008, patient records were extracted. Patients had to have at least one diagnosis of asthma(ICD10-J45) and at least one GP visit in each quarter of the study period and at least one prescription of LABA (formoterol or salmeterol) or fixed combination (ATC R3F) in the first quarter of the study period to make sure patients had chronic asthma. LABA-treated patients were analyzed by number of quarters with concomitant treatment of ICS. Hospitalization rate was considered as indicator to assess treatment outcomes. RESULTS Of 3969 patients receiving at least one prescription of fixed combination, 40.3% received continuous treatment (i.e. at least one prescription per quarter). In total 1124 patients had at least one single-agent LABA prescription in the study period, 42.9% of these received continuous LABA-treatment while 12.1% received continuous LABA+ICS treatment. Continuous treatment with free combination of ICS and LABA was associated with a significantly lower risk of hospitalization compared to non-continuous treatment of free combination (p = 0.01; Fisher's Exact). Of patients continuously treated with LABA, 32.8% did not receive any ICS prescription in the study period. CONCLUSIONS Continuous treatment with free combination was much less frequent than with fixed combinations. In contrast to general asthma treatment guidelines and drugs' labels of LABA, a significant proportion of patients received only LABA and no ICS. The results of this analysis were in line with the FDA's expert panel's concerns of potentially inappropriate use of LABA in asthma treatment.