A subset of COPD patients is also susceptible to exacerbations, which may require a change in maintenance medication, provision of emergency treatment or a hospital inpatient stay. COPD results in a social and economic burden to society and often impacts in later working life. Current clinical guidelines for COPD indicate a standard treatment pathway according to disease progression. The treatment options available nowadays are increasing with inhaled therapies, alone or in combination, having a preponderant role. A thorough understanding of treatment sequences and therapy combinations is therefore essential when considering the best treatment choice for a COPD patient. However, given the current scarcity of resources in most healthcare systems, it is also imperative that the treatment options are value for money (cost effective) for the payers.