Richard Beasley given Royal Society medical research award

A Wellington man has been awarded a prestigious science medal for his medical research.

His work has helped reduce asthma-related deaths and could help open up a new multibillion-dollar opportunity.

New Zealand has one of the world’s highest rates of asthma, which can be deadly.

Four people died in Melbourne from the disease following a freak pollen and dust-carrying storm on Monday.

But many of New Zealanders with asthma could owe their lives to Richard Beasley, who discovered a common treatment was actually contributing to fatalities.

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