Pharmaprojects R&D Pipeline News Feed
World Asthma Day
6 May 2008
"You Can Control Your Asthma" was the theme of this year's World Asthma Day, a global event aiming to raise awareness of the reversible bronchial obstruction disorder which affects 5.2 million people in the UK, including 1.1 million children. One of the largest organisations taking part was Asthma UK which launched a "Wish you were here" campaign in an effort to encourage governments and healthcare providers to supply high quality treatment options to UK asthma sufferers, regardless of where they live.
With the combined global asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder market value is expected to reach $23 billion by 2014, AstraZeneca is currently leading the way with 10 compounds launched for asthma, including the inhalable steroid budesonide as Pulmicort and the combination with formoterol as Symbicort. Dominating the market however, is GlaxoSmithKline’s salmeterol and fluticasone formulation, Seretide, although with patent protection due to expire in 2010, its position may soon slide in the face of generic competition.
This annual event, celebrating a decade of raising asthma awareness this year, continues to breathe new life into the importance of an asthma check-up when visiting your GP and the control this often debilitating disease in patients with poor current management.
