See:
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/177_06_160902/wil10493_fm.html

Comments from another source:
"Asthma death rates in Australia halved in the past 12 years along with
the increased use of corticosteroids.

But he said doses should be reduced to appropriate levels to control
symptoms while reducing the likelihood of potentially fatal
side-effects. "Australian prescribers have used higher doses of
inhaled corticosteroids (than their US and European counterparts) but
there is now a clear incentive to reverse this trend," he said.

Research fellow and respiratory doctor Greg King agreed that inhaled
steroids should remain a cornerstone of asthma treatment but said
doctors needed to be more discriminating about which patients required
high doses.

"Inhaled steroids...are the single most important drug in asthma and
if used appropriately, most people don't need big doses," he said.
Dr King said he was unaware of any serious side effects from inhaled
steroids reported in Australia"  Regards, Richard Friedel.