FDA Advisory Panel Recommendation on Asthma Drugs Right Decision, Says AARC
For Immediate Release
IRVING, TX (July 21, 2005) – A recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory Panel recommendation to keep three key asthma drugs on the market is the right decision, says the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).
GlaxoSmithKline’s Advair and Serevent, and Novartis’s Foradil are important weapons in the battle to effectively manage asthma, notes the 37,000-plus membership organization of respiratory therapists and other health care professionals. These medications, which contain long-acting beta-2 agonists to treat bronchoconstriction, have been shown in clinical studies to improve lung function and asthma symptoms in people with the disease.
“Many individuals rely on these medications to control their asthma. They need to have the medications available to them to ensure their health,” said John Hiser AARC president. “But, of course, as with all medications, care must be taken to assure proper dosage and usage.” The AARC believes that patients need access to the medications and services that helps them manage their asthma.
The drugs came under increased scrutiny by the FDA after studies linked a key ingredient in the Glaxo medications, salmeterol, to a slight but disturbing increased risk of mortality. Following the release of those data, the FDA began requiring the two Glaxo drugs to carry “black box” warnings alerting patients to the findings of the study.
Since the active ingredient in Foradil, formoterol, is in the same class of medications, the FDA panel is recommending it carry a similar “black box” warning.
The AARC calls on asthma patients and their families to consult with their physician or respiratory therapist for a full explanation of the potential risks and benefits of these asthma controller medications and to ensure they are receiving the right medications for their asthma at the correct dosages.
Respiratory therapists can also play a key role in helping patients and families understand the underlying causes of asthma and how medications such as Advair, Serevent, and Foradil work to combat the disease and ease the health care burden associated with the condition.
Respiratory Therapists (RTs) are specially trained and licensed respiratory health care professionals assisting physicians in diagnosis, treatment, and management of respiratory diseases. RTs provide care in hospitals, outpatient centers, physicians' offices, skilled nursing facilities, and patients' homes.
The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is a not-for-profit, professional organization, consisting of 37,000 respiratory therapists, physicians, and other health care professionals. AARC is dedicated to assisting persons with respiratory diseases receive safe and effective respiratory care.
###Contact: Beth Binkley
Binkley@aarc.org
American Association For Respiratory Care
9425 N MacArthur Blvd, Suite 100, Irving , TX 75063
972-406-4657, 927-243-2272
