Respiratory

Respiratory

Sandoz is well-positioned for leadership in the fast-growing respiratory market given our strong portfolio and capabilities. At Sandoz, it is our purpose to improve the quality of treatment for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to ease the suffering that seasonal allergies cause. The debilitating effects of airway constriction affect more than just the psychological and physical well-being of the individual patient. It is in fact a public health issue that comes at considerable socio-economic cost. That is why we at Sandoz draw on our strong Novartis heritage to create innovative products that improve the patient experience.

At the heart of our commitment is our Center of Excellence in Rudolstadt, Germany – a state-of-the-art, multi-platform development and manufacturing facility that houses an immense amount of expertise. It is in large part due to this high-tech facility that Sandoz has been able to build such a robust pipeline of differentiated respiratory products that improve patient lives.

Effects

The burden of disability caused by respiratory disease

Most cases of respiratory disease are under-diagnosed and under-treated, which creates a substantial burden to individuals and families. It is also amongst the leading chronic illnesses in children.

Asthma has a great impact on overall quality of life. Breathing problems can lead to disruptions in sleep, wheezing, anxiety and stress – it can also limit a person’s ability to hold a conversation and lead a balanced social life. Therefore people with asthma are often at risk of developing depression. For children and parents, severe asthma can be especially distressing, as it affects learning ability and overall health.

The economic cost of asthma goes beyond direct medical costs such as hospitalization and pharmaceuticals. Indirect medical costs amount to millions of lost workdays and premature death. When asthma is not properly managed, the cost of treatment is eventually twice as high compared to patients who control even severe asthma.

COPD symptoms can have a destructive impact on the normal functioning of a day-to-day routine. Shortness of breath is one of the most troublesome symptoms, causing patients to become less active over time.

Around half of all COPD sufferers are younger than 65, placing them at the peak of their career and family responsibilities. Early retirement due to illness can lead to significant losses in lifetime earnings

Innovation

Differentiated generic medicines that meet respiratory needs

There is no cure for asthma or COPD. Yet effective treatments can help to control the symptoms and allow for a fuller, more active life. Sandoz’ growing portfolio of innovative respiratory medicines shows our commitment to high-value products that provide patients with affordable, quality treatment options.

Our differentiated products are designed with patients in order to improve the treatment experience. For example, the design of AirFluSal® Forspiro® benefitted greatly from patient input. The multi-dose dry powder inhaler features a clear and accurate dose counter1, as well as a simple lever arm for loading the dose and visual control features for additional reassurance about dosing.

Developing such new products underscores Sandoz’ commitment in focusing on differentiated products in therapeutic areas where we see the greatest need.

  1. S. Jones, T. Weuthen, Q.J. Harmer, J.C. Virchow. P7, Assessing the intuitive ease of use of a novel dry powder inhaler, the Forspiro® device, for asthma and COPD. Thorax 2012; 67: A66−A67; doi:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-202678.148.
Source URL: https://www.sandoz.com/products-services/disease-areas/respiratory

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