Intal compound is a new preparation for asthma marketed by Fisons Pharmaceuticals. Before it was launched the parent company told a newspaper ‘we believe it to be 100% effective’,1 but this statement was probably aimed at investors rather than doctors or patients. The preparation is a mixture of disodium cromoglycate 20 mg, isoprenaline sulphate 0.1 mg and lactose and is dispensed as a fine powder in a capsule for release from a special inhaler.