Content about Pulmonology

Optics Laboratory recently kicked off a new consumer campaign in support of its OcuFresh Eye Wash product. The product, which helps flush eye irritants like pollen, dust and smoke without perservatives, will be featured across the “Mommy Blog” circuit.


FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the maker of Zyrtec, on Wednesday announced that actress Kate Walsh and beauty expert Rebekah George will address "allergy face" — the beauty challenges that can come along with typical allergy symptoms — during a live webcast April 10 at 8 p.m. EST on Ustream, a live interactive broadcast platform.

JERUSALEM — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Teva for treating allergies, the company said Monday.

Teva announced the approval of Qnasl (beclomethasone dipropionate) for seasonal and year-round nasal allergies in patients ages 12 years and older. The company said the drug, a "dry" nasal aerosol, would become available next month.

As of the beginning of February, the cough-cold season had yet to materialize and illness levels were only just beginning to climb. If that’s the case, then an expected illness peak in late February/early March would make the 2011-2012 cough, cold and flu season one of the later-peaking seasons in recent years.


As of Jan. 21, overall incidence of upper respiratory illness this season was down 7.5% according to IMS Health, as compared with the 2010-2011 season.


A wet spring last year made for ideal allergen-
creating conditions heading into summer 2011 — the growth of ragweed and an increase in mold. According to a Quest Diagnostics study published in 2011, sensitization to common ragweed has grown 15% nationally since 2000, while mold grew 12%. IMS Health projected a strong spring allergy season, especially across the north and northeast.


SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals for treating a rare form of cystic fibrosis, the agency said Tuesday.

The FDA announced the approval of Kalydeco (ivacaftor) for treating patients ages 6 years and older with CF who have a mutation called G551D in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Medical device maker PMD Healthcare has launched what it calls the first personal spirometer to monitor lung function, the company said.

PMD, based in Allentown, Pa., announced the launch of the Spiro PD, which recently received approval from the Food and Drug Administration. The device is designed to enable patients with such lung diseases as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis and lung transplants "easily and accurately" monitor lung function anytime and anywhere.

PHILADELPHIA — A hand and respiratory hygiene program including frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer helped reduce illness caused by influenza A, and reduced the number of missed school days in elementary school children, according to a study in the November issue of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Vertex Pharmaceuticals has filed for Food and Drug Administration approval of a drug for cystic fibrosis, the company said.

Vertex announced the submission to the FDA of an application for approval and priority review of Kalydeco (ivacaftor), which it said was potentially the first medicine to target the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis, namely mutations in the CFTR gene that causes defective or missing CFTR proteins that inhibit the flow of salt and water across cell membranes and lead to mucus buildup.

A wet spring has made for ideal allergen-creating conditions — the growth of ragweed and an increase in mold. According to a Quest Diagnostics study, sensitization to common ragweed has grown 15% nationally since 2000, while mold grew 12%.


JERUSALEM — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted an approval application for a drug made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for treating allergies, Teva said.

The Israeli drug maker said the FDA accepted its application for BDP Nasal HFA (beclomethasone dipropionate hydrofluoroalkane) for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial allergic rhinitis. The drug is a nasal aerosol corticosteroid.

RICHMOND, Va. — The Food and Drug Administration has given tentative approval to an emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions made by Intelliject, the drug maker said.