OBJECTIVES: To compare the use of secondary drugs (SABA-Short acting beta adrenergic agents, formoterol fumarate dihydrate and formoterol fumarate) correlated to the use of primary drugs (fluticasone/salmeterol and budesonide/formoterol combination as a single inhaler), using a claims ratio measurement unit, in the management of asthma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis has been conducted using a Canadian healthcare insurance claims database. In order to obtain the claims ratio unit, the database review analysed the number of patients (claimants) that used the above-mentioned medication. The main criteria for selecting the claimants were: Patients with at least 2 claims for one of the main target drugs during the index period. Active patients: who had a claim for any drug at least 6 months before and 12 months after their first claim of the target drug during the index period. Patients that did not switch therapy between the main target drugs during the index period. The perspective was of the third party payer. RESULTS: The use of budesonide/formoterol combination as a single inhaler as a primary drug in the management of asthma, determined a decrease in the number of claims and use of secondary drugs (one claim of budesonide/formoterol combination as a single inhaler determined 0.71 claims of fenoterol HBR vs. 0.86 with fluticasone/salmeterol vs. 1.28 with budesonide, and vs. 0.92 with fluticasone propionate), formoterol fumarate dyhidrate (0.53 vs. 0.59 vs. 1.16 vs. 0.95), and formoterol fumarate (0.44 vs. 0.47 vs. 1.43 vs. 0.83). The claims analysis shows a decrease in the claims ratio and costs of secondary drugs and overall treatment costs when using budesonide/formoterol combination as a single inhaler. CONCLUSION: The budesonide/formoterol combination as a single inhaler can represent an economically advantageous asthma treatment option compared with other primary drugs.