government
FDA approves inhaler to treat COPD
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 6, 2012
The Food and Drug Administration approved a new inhaler to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Tudorza Pressair, a dry powder inhaler, gained approval on July 23 for adult patients with COPD, the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, the FDA announced. Use of the inhaler is intended for the long-term maintenance of the conditions commonly associated with smoker’s cough, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The drug can help improve a patient’s airflow.
“COPD is a serious disease that gets worse over time,” said Curtis Rosebraugh, MD, MPH, director of the Office of Drug Evaluation at the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The availability of long-term maintenance drugs for COPD provides additional treatment options for the millions of people who suffer with this debilitating disease.”
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/08/06/gvbf0806.htm.
