Content about Asthma

WILMINGTON, Del. — Drug maker AstraZeneca is encouraging patients with asthma to control their disease and learn about how it may be affecting their lives as part of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, which takes place in May.

NANUET, N.Y. — Allermates today announced it is introducing EpiPen, Auvi-Q and asthma inhaler carrying cases.

The cases come in colorful kid-friendly designs and include AllerMates characters. Each case comes with an emergency contact and medication information card. The EpiPen carrying case is insulated, and comes with an epinephrine auto-injector user guide. The cases, like all AllerMates products, are nickel-, lead-, latex-, BPA- and phthalate-free.

LANDOVER, Md. — Extreme weather patterns may contribute to a severe and long allergy season this spring, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The AAFA projects an increased potential for severe and prolonged allergy symptoms as spring arrives early, and as many regions of the country recover from severe storms and flooding.

WASHINGTON — Two nonprofit groups focused on asthma and allergies will merge to combine their efforts.

The Kids with Food Allergies Foundation will become a division of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, and the combined organization will provide education, advocacy, research, social networking and support for families living with the diseases. The groups' boards agreed to merge in 2012.

NORTH WALES, Pa. — An inhaler for patients with bronchospasm that includes a dose counter has become available from Teva Respiratory, the company said Thursday.

The company, which is the branded respiratory division of Israeli drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, announced the available of ProAir HFA (i.e., albuterol sulfate), for patients aged 4 and older to prevent and treat bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. The inhaler received Food and Drug Administration approval in March 2012.

CINCINNATI — A new University of Cincinnati study released last week examined how anxiety sensitivity can thwart the efforts of smokers with asthma to quit smoking. This new direction of research from Alison McLeish, a UC assistant professor of psychology, was presented Nov.17 at the 46th annual convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies in National Harbor, Md.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has settled a patent infringement suit over a drug used to treat respiratory diseases, Mylan said.

The generic drug maker said it resolved a patent litigation suit filed by Shionogi and Cima Labs over prednisolone sodium phosphate orally disintegrating tablets, a generic version of Orapred ODT. Mylan is hoping to market its generic version of the drug in the 10-mg, 15-mg and 30-mg strengths. The drug is used to treat asthma and certain allergic conditions.

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Acton Pharmaceuticals for asthma, the company said Thursday.

The drug maker announced the approval of Aerospan (flunisolide HFA) inhalation aerosol as a maintenance treatment for asthma in patients aged 6 and older. The drug maker plans to launch the drug in early 2013.

LOS ANGELES — Earlier this summer Hyland’s introduced its Leg Cramps Ointment to complement its line of homeopathic Leg Cramps tablets. Expect the leg cramp market to grow. According to one study, about half of all seniors suffer from leg cramps — they’re more common in women (56%) than men (40%). And two drug classes with strong links to leg cramps include diuretics and the inhaled long-acting B2-agonists 
(e.g., Advair, Serevent, Symbicort).

MONTVALE, N.J. — A line of kid-friendly health and allergy alert accessories has expanded to include a new product.

While SoloHealth is placing advanced healthcare technology in stores, Ford Motor Co. recently announced that it is introducing healthcare technology into cars with IMS Health’s Allergy Alert app, now compatible with Ford SYNC AppLink. The in-dash access to the Allergy Alert app gives drivers a safe way to check the potential for scratchy eyes, sore throats and runny noses while on the go.


SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved several generic versions of a drug used to treat asthma and allergies, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of montelukast sodium, a drug indicated for controlling asthma symptoms and relieving indoor and outdoor allergies.

The drug is a generic version of Merck's Singulair, which had sales of $4.6 billion in 2011, according to IMS Health.