The Hindu Business Line : German Remedies launches inhaler for asthma

Novolizer is a third-generation refillable, breath-activated multiple dose dry powder inhaler device and can be used by patients suffering from asthma and COPD

Ahmedabad , Sept. 20

German Remedies, a part of the Rs 1,800 crore Zydus Cadila Group, has launched Novolizer, an inhaler device for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), whose technology has been provided by Meda Pharma of Sweden. German Remedies has also got exclusive rights to manufacture and market the product in India.

Novolizer is a third-generation refillable, breath-activated multiple dose dry powder inhaler device and can be used by patients suffering from asthma and COPD. Asthma is a chronic, debilitating respiratory condition with sudden, unpredictable and potentially life-threatening effects. India has more than an estimated 20 million asthmatics, the company said in a release here on Wednesday.

The treatment of asthma requires constant vigilance and the active involvement of patients to monitor, anticipate and promptly respond to the onset of asthmatic attacks. COPD is a lung disease that is progressive and not fully reversible, obstructing the airways and making breathing difficult.

Treatment

Patients with COPD suffer from frequent cough, mucus production and shortness of breath which makes even walking a short distance, a difficult task. In treating Asthma and COPD, patient compliance and availing the right dose at the right time can be crucial.

Several clinical studies have revealed limitations in the development of inhalation devices, which prevent almost half of all asthma patients from inhaling correctly.

This leads to poor asthma control despite effective substances being available to treat asthma. An ideal inhaler effectively delivers the drug that a patient requires through the airways which are usually narrowed in an asthmatic condition. It also helps in the exact dose being deposited in the lungs irrespective of the inhalation technique.

`Ideal inhaler'

Zydus Cadila said Novolizer fulfils all the elements of an ideal inhaler and is currently the only third-generation inhaler available across the world. People of different age groups, including children, can use it. It has a patient-friendly, multiple feedback mechanism, which can guide the user through the correct inhalation process.

In addition, Novolizer also has an intelligent dose counter, which resets only after correct inhalation. This would also help in monitoring patient compliance. Unlike the currently available multiple dose, dry powder inhalers which cannot be refilled, Novolizer can be refilled by replacing the cartridges. German Remedies currently markets Formonide, Forair, Combimist in the respiratory segment and ranks second in the participated market.

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