AstraZeneca says drug approval will benefit COPD patients

AstraZeneca has stated that the approval of a drug will give patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) a new treatment option.

The medication, Symbicort, has been permitted for the twice-daily use of airflow obstruction in sufferers of the disease, including bronchitis and emphysema.

Dr Howard Hutchinson, chief medical officer of AstraZeneca, explained the latest announcement could “deliver long-term lung function improvement and daily symptom control, together with a rapid onset of action”.

The regulators’ decision to authorise the use of the remedy was largely based on the results from two clinical tests which showed it could improve breathing within five minutes of the first dose.

COPD is a condition that can make it difficult to inhale and exhale normally due to inflamed airways and progressive loss of lung function.

In other news, Astra Zeneca has recently received a complete response letter from the FDA with regards to the use of Seroquel XR for generalised anxiety disorder.

The firm researches, develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines for healthcare services.