Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA; TASE: TEVA) unit Teva Respiratory has launched its ProAir HFA asthma treatment inhaler with a dose counter for use in patients from age four. The inhaler is for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB).
Teva said that the ProAir HFA with dose counter supports the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recommendations for such mechanisms, as a means for patients and caregivers to track the number of doses remaining in their inhaler, thus reducing the risk of utilizing an inhaler that no longer contains the medication required at the onset of asthma symptoms.
Teva Global Respiratory R&D senior VP Tushar Shah said, “As the market leader in quick-relief inhalers, we are pleased to offer patients the latest in product enhancements designed to help better manage their condition."
According to the FDA, which approved the new inhaler in March 2012, inhalers without dose counters can present an issue for patients or caregivers as they can be left to guess how many doses remain. Without a dose counter, patients or caregivers may either throw away an inhaler that hasn’t been fully utilized or use an inhaler beyond the recommended number of doses and risk receiving the incorrect amount of medication or no medication at all.
Dr. John Given, ProAir HFA with dose counter clinical trial investigator and respiratory specialist at The Allergy, Respiratory and Sleep Center in Canton, OH. “Symptoms of asthma and COPD are unpredictable. It’s critical that patients know that their quick acting inhaler is dispensing properly and has an adequate number of doses left. Using an inhaler without sufficient dosage is potentially dangerous because a full dose plays a vital role in treatment."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 6, 2013
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