Teva Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:TEVA) has launched its Qvar RediHaler inhalation aerosol in the U.S., marking the first time a breath-actuated inhaled corticosteroid is available for asthma patients as a prophylactic therapy.
In contrast to traditional metered-dose inhalers, Teva’s Qvar RediHaler sends medication into the user’s lungs as they inhale. This feature eliminates the need for hand-breath coordination, according to Teva.
“When it comes to the treatment of asthma, proper inhaler technique remains a critical issue for patients. In fact, nearly 68% of patients do not use their metered dose inhalers well enough to benefit from the prescribed medication, leading to potentially uncontrolled asthma symptoms,” Dr. Warner Carr, of the Allergy and Asthma Associates of Southern California, said in prepared remarks.
“As a physician, it’s often a challenge to know if my patients are using their inhalers correctly once they leave the office. It’s reassuring to see new device technologies come to market, such as the Qvar RediHaler device, which is designed specifically to eliminate the need for hand-breath coordination.”
“Qvar has been an available asthma treatment option for well over a decade, so we are excited by the new technology of Qvar RediHaler that directly addresses an unmet need in the field of asthma management,” Brendan O’Grady, EVP of Teva’s North America commercial business, added. “By merging our breath-actuated inhaler technology with asthma medication, we hope to better serve the needs of the respiratory community and look forward to seeing the adoption of Qvar RediHaler in the coming months.”
