Content about Respiratory diseases

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — A division of drug maker Mylan has distributed autoinjectors of an emergency drug used for severe allergic reactions to schools nationwide.

Mylan Specialty said Wednesday that since its August 2012 launch of the EpiPen4Schools program, thousands of schools around the country had elected to participate and receive free EpiPen and EpiPen Jr (epinephrine) auto-injectors. The program was launched to help schools have improved access to epinephrine in the event that a person experiences a life-threatening allergic reaction, also known as anaphylaxis.

WASHINGTON — A division of drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is partnering with an advocacy group focused on asthma in the launch of a new educational website about the condition.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and Teva Respiratory announced the launch of Get Smart About Asthma, which aims to increase understanding of how inflammation in the airways contributes to the disease's persistence and severity, as well as providing other educational materials.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — Mylan Specialty has hired a star of a popular TV series as a celebrity spokeswoman for a campaign designed to draw attention to severe allergic reactions.

LONDON and SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — GlaxoSmithKline and Theravance submitted a regulatory application to the Food and Drug Administration for their chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment.

Drug Store News recently talked with COPD Foundation founder and president John Walsh about the organization’s new leadership. In March, the COPD Foundation took over leadership for Drive4COPD, which aims to screen people for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a collective term for emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which the group estimates to affect 24 million Americans who may have it but don’t know it.


DSN: What led the COPD Foundation to take over Drive4COPD?


Taken together, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema — affect nearly 50 million Americans, or about 15% of the total U.S. population, according to statistics from such organizations as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And combined, the two diseases cause more than 100,000 deaths per year. Fortunately, however, there is a wide range of treatments available for both, many of which work for both diseases.

NEW YORK — Regulators will take a few months longer to review the approval application for a new drug for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the drug's developers said Thursday.

Forest Labs and Almirall said the Food and Drug Administration would require a three-month extension to complete its review of their application for aclidinium bromide, a maintenance drug for COPD. The FDA plans to complete its review and decide whether or not to approve the drug in July.

WASHINGTON — More than 50 drugs are under development for treating a respiratory disease that is the third-leading cause of death in the United States.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America released a list Thursday of 54 drugs in clinical development for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Novartis for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the FDA said Friday.

The FDA approved Arcapta Neohaler (indacaterol inhalation powder) for long-term, once-daily maintenance of bronchodilator treatment of airflow obstruction in people with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

COPD, which often results from cigarette smoking, is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

NEW YORK — Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical may acquire Switzerland’s Nycomed for $12 billion, according to published reports.

Reuters reported Thursday that Takeda was in talks to buy Nycomed in order to expand its presence in the European market. Most of Takeda’s business is in Asia and the United States.

Nycomed makes treatments for such diseases as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic pain, osteoporosis and others.

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — Two organizations focused on chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder have joined Drive4COPD, an organization founded by drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim that seeks to raise awareness of the disease.

Drive4COPD announced that the U.S. COPD Coalition and the COPD Alliance had joined the campaign, which now includes 40 associations and companies. The U.S. COPD Coalition adds another 38 organizations.