To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Canada Approves QVAR Inhaler, Effective at Half the Dose of Most Other Inhalers URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1D44CA.htm Doctor's Guide June 1, 2000
TORONTO, ON -- June 1, 2000 -- There's good news for millions of Canadian asthma sufferers! Health Canada has approved 3M Pharmaceuticals' QVAR™, the first aerosol spray capable of delivering medication to all parts of the lung including the smallest of breathing tubes. By doing so, QVAR controls asthma with less than half the dose of most other conventional, preventive inhalers. Its innovative design provides patients with enhanced convenience and reliability. QVAR is indicated for the preventive management of mild, moderate or severe steroid responsive bronchial asthma and contains the safe and effective corticosteroid beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP). "Both the large and small airways in the lungs play an important role in asthma but current inhalers fail to deliver medication to the smallest of airways or breathing tubes," said Dr. Kenneth Chapman, director of the Asthma Centre at the Toronto Western Hospital. QVAR is an exciting product on two counts: First of all, it reverses the pattern of distribution of present inhalers by delivering more medication to the lungs and less to the mouth and throat. Secondly, it ensures drug delivery to the smaller airways, sites of inflammation that are difficult to reach. "QVAR's extrafine particles - which are about a third the size of those of conventional inhalers are responsible for the improved delivery of medicine to the lung and for improvements in asthma control." In addition Dr. Chapman noted, "QVAR is designed to be uniformly effective without a spacer device." "With the increase in asthma rates seen in recent years, there is a growing need for delivery systems that allow patients to receive consistent, effective and safe doses of medication with minimal inhalation effort. QVAR certainly meets these criteria," said Dr. Anthony D'Urzo, a family physician and director of the Primary Care Asthma Clinic in Toronto. Dr. D'Urzo also noted that studies have shown a ten-fold greater lung deposition with CFC-free QVAR compared with conventional CFC-BDP inhalers. As a result, more BDP is available to the lungs to exert a therapeutic effect while less BDP is absorbed via the stomach. In fact, Dr. D'Urzo added, with CFC inhalers, over 90 percent of the BDP dose is deposited in the mouth and throat. A 1999 CHEST medical journal study found a consistent tendency for people using QVAR to feel better, resulting in an improved quality of life for patients. Elaine Nicol, a Toronto, Ontario asthma sufferer for more than 20 years, said she felt like a new person after switching to QVAR. "With my previous medication, I was concerned about the side-effects associated with high doses of steroids. The fact that QVAR is more effective, at less than half the dose than my other inhaler, is a real blessing. On top of that, it delivers more medication to my lungs, is very gentle, and does not cause any hoarseness." As well, Nicol said she used to skip doses to avoid persistent coughing, but has not missed one since switching to QVAR. There are two basic types of therapies in asthma treatment. Controllers, such as QVAR, help control inflammation and prevent bronchospasm, while relievers lessen bronchospasm when it occurs. Most of the new wave of medications are in the controller class, and include corticosteroids and antileukotriene agents. Relievers, or bronchodilators - which include beta agonists - act on bronchospasm by relaxing the airway muscle, but do not necessarily address the underlying inflammation. This can result in possible long-term damage. "As research better defines how and why airway inflammation occurs, therapies which are more targeted in approach will evolve, " said Dr. D'Urzo. Other advances to look for include refinements of existing medications to increase their tolerability, choice, ease of use and environmental acceptability. 3M Pharmaceuticals has been in the forefront of inhaler technology for more than 40 years and is renowned for its technological expertise in the field of respiratory medicine. "3M developed the first portable MDI in 1956 and more than half of all inhalers produced globally by various companies use 3M technology," noted Thomas Doyle, business development manager at 3M Pharmaceuticals. 3M Pharmaceuticals' pioneering efforts in healthcare innovations are seen in the development of CFC-free products like QVAR. These products allow patients to continue receiving the benefits of corticosteroid aerosol delivery in familiar devices with improved lung deposition and dosing consistency. QVAR is available only by prescription. QVAR is a trademark of 3M. Used under license in Canada. 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