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EAST HANOVER, N.J. — Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. has shipped once-daily Arcapta Neohaler (indacaterol inhalation powder) 75 mcg to pharmacies nationwide.
Novartis said Monday that Arcapta Neohaler is the only once-daily, 24-hour, long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) approved in the United States for maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
An an inhaled, steroid-free treatment, Arcapta Neohaler is indicated for the long-term maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow obstruction in adult patients with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.
"Arcapta Neohaler represents an important new treatment option for the 14 million Americans living with COPD," commented Andre Wyss, president of Novartis Pharmaceuticals. "The launch of Arcapta Neohaler is a significant milestone as we continue to establish a strong respiratory presence in the U.S. market."
COPD is characterized by persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive and associated with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the airways of the lungs to noxious particles or gases, according to Novartis. More than 14 million Americans are affected, and it’s estimated that another 12 million people have the disease but remain undiagnosed. COPD ranks as the third-leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of serious long-term disability.
"The availability of this new, once-daily LABA is good news for COPD patients looking for new treatment options and for the millions of Americans that are living with this serious disease," stated John Walsh, president and co-founder of the COPD Foundation.
