Almirall has opened a new affiliate in Toronto, Canada. Having a presence in Canada will help the company roll out its recently approved aclidinium DPI for COPD, among other drugs, Almirall says. The company will co-market aclidinium as Tudorza Pressair with Forest Laboratories. In Europe, aclidinium bromide inhalers are being marketed as the Eklira Genuair and … [Read more...] about Almirall opens Canadian affiliate, presents positive Phase 3 results for Eklira Genuair
Medical
Study finds that inhaled budesonide for children reduces adult height
A study by the Childhood Asthma Management Program (CAMP) Research Group published online in the New England Journal of Medicine on September 3 finds that children who received 400 μg of inhaled budesonide daily for 4-6 years had a mean adult height 1.2 cm less than children who received placebo. The researchers obtained height measurements from 943 participants out … [Read more...] about Study finds that inhaled budesonide for children reduces adult height
FDA questions for Novartis about Tobi Podhaler prior to advisory committee meeting
The FDA briefing materials for the September 5, 2012 meeting of the Anti-Infective Drugs Advisory Committee, which will consider the use of Novartis's Tobi tobramycin inhalation powder (TIP) for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections in cystic fibrosis patients, question both the efficacy and safety of the product, especially when compared to TOBI tobramycin … [Read more...] about FDA questions for Novartis about Tobi Podhaler prior to advisory committee meeting
Positive Phase 3 results for QVA 149, filings expected by the end of the year
According to Novartis, the latest Phase 3 study of the QVA149 indacaterol/glycopyrronium DPI demonstrated a significant reduction in exacerbations of moderate-to-severe COPD compared to the Seebri Breezhaler glycopyrronium bromide DPI alone. The company says that it plans to submit regulatory filings in Europe and Japan by the end of 2012 and in the US at the end of … [Read more...] about Positive Phase 3 results for QVA 149, filings expected by the end of the year
Positive Phase 3 results for Inavir DPI to prevent flu
Daiichi Sankyo has announced positive Phase 3 results for its Inavir laninamivir octanoate hydrate dry powder inhaler as a prophylactic antiviral. According to the company, the study found that Inavir produced statistically significant reductions in influenza infection compared to placebo among household members in contact with patients infected with influenza A or B, … [Read more...] about Positive Phase 3 results for Inavir DPI to prevent flu
Positive Phase 2 results for Lightlake’s naloxone nasal spray
Lightlake Therapeutics has announced what it called "very encouraging preliminary results" from a Phase 2 clinical trial of its naloxone nasal spray for the treatment of binge eating disorder. According to the company, the randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial demonstrated a 56% greater reduction in the amount of time that patients who received the spray … [Read more...] about Positive Phase 2 results for Lightlake’s naloxone nasal spray
Sunovion launches Zetonna nasal aerosol in US
According to Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Zetonna ciclesonide nasal aerosol for the treatment of perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis is now available throughout the US. The company announced in May that it would launch the product by this fall. Sunovion also markets Omnaris ciclesonide nasal spray for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and Alvesco ciclesonide … [Read more...] about Sunovion launches Zetonna nasal aerosol in US
Health Canada issues advisory on potential Pulmicort Turbuhaler device failure
Health Canada has issued an advisory to health care professionals that "AstraZeneca Canada has received a small number of product complaints for Pulmicort Turbuhaler, 200 µg per metered dose (200 doses) regarding the malfunction of the delivery device that results in a failure to dispense the dose of medication." According to the notice, the devices sometimes fail to … [Read more...] about Health Canada issues advisory on potential Pulmicort Turbuhaler device failure
All UK children to receive nasal flu vaccine free of charge — eventually
The UK Department of Health has announced that Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has agreed to a flu vaccination program recommended by a committee of independent experts that will provide MedImmune's Fluenz intranasal vaccine to all children aged 2 to 17 at no cost. Fluenz is known as FluMist in the US. Asthmatic children and those with other risk factors were already … [Read more...] about All UK children to receive nasal flu vaccine free of charge — eventually
UK supermarket chain to begin selling inhalers over the counter
Supermarket chain Asda says that it will become the first retailer in the UK to sell asthma reliever inhalers over the counter when its pharmacies begin offering salbutamol (albuterol) inhalers for sale on July 24. Asda has pharmacies in 218 stores. Patients over the age of 16 will be able to purchase two inhalers for £7 after filling out a simple questionnaire. … [Read more...] about UK supermarket chain to begin selling inhalers over the counter