OBJECTIVES: To analyze cost-effectiveness of budesonid/formoterol versus typical practice for treating asthma in Russian health care system. METHODS: Open, randomized, comparative trial was carried out in 16 cities of Russia. 300 outpatients were observed during 6 months. A total of 150 from them were prescribed budesonid/formoterol, 150 continued anti-inflammatory therapy prescribed earlier (typical practice of treating patients). IN all, 103 patients from them received inhaled corticosteroids 800-1600 mcg as monotherapy, 21 patient received inhaled corticosteroids in a combination with long-acting 2-agonists and 26 patient received cromons. The degree of restriction of physical activity, frequency of day time and night attacks were estimated on a scale in 5 points (0-absence of the infringements, 2-4- moderate and heavy infringements). Application of udesonid/formoterol has shown the best results by all criteria of clinical efficiency. RESULTS: The increase of FEV1 by the end of research (20 % on a median) was significantly greater in group of abudesonid/formoterol than in control group (11%). Cost of treatment (cost of drugs and physician visits) was somewhat higher in budesonid/formoterol group. Average cost-effectiveness ratio showed that the cost per % increase of FEV1in group of budesonid/formoterol (484,08 rubles for the 1 month, 1742.68 rubles for 6 months) was lower than in group of comparison (1131.56 rubles and 2468.86 rubles). Cost per patient with absence of moderate or heavy infringements on all used scales at the end of study also was lower in the first group (9220.54 rubles for the 1 month; 44,684.15 rubles for 6 months) than in the second group (11,911.13 rubles, 59,037.78 rubles). CONCLUSION: Budesonid/formoterol is cost-effective in treatment of bronchial asthma.