AstraZeneca's Oxis Turbuhaler gains EU approval for as needed treatment
® ® ASTRAZENECA'S OXIS TURBUHALER GAINS EUROPEAN UNION APPROVAL FOR 'AS NEEDED' TREATMENT ® AstraZeneca PLC announced today that Oxis Turbuhaler (formoterol) has been approved in the European Union (EU) for 'as needed' treatment of asthma symptoms in addition to normal maintenance treatment. Oxis Turbuhaler is the combination of the beta2-agonist formoterol in the ® leading inhalation device, Turbuhaler . The clinical documentation of Oxis Turbuhaler has demonstrated unique dual characteristics of the product: the combination of a rapid onset of symptom relief and a long- lasting bronchodilation. These characteristics make it possible for patients to use Oxis Turbuhaler both as maintenance treatment to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks, and as a rescue medication to relieve symptoms on an 'as needed' basis. "The new treatment option means that most patients only need one bronchodilator inhaler, which should lead to improved compliance and better asthma control. This is a significant advantage for patients and doctors and a tremendous commercial opportunity for AstraZeneca," says Michael Earl, Vice President, Respiratory & Inflammation Marketing, AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of ethical (prescription) pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the top five pharmaceutical companies in the world with healthcare sales of $13 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, oncology, anaesthesia including pain management, cardiovascular, central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory products. Note to editors AstraZeneca provides a range of products for the treatment of respiratory ® diseases*. The largest in terms of sales is Pulmicort Turbuhaler , Europe's best selling asthma drug**. The use of Oxis Turbuhaler together with Pulmicort Turbuhaler has been shown to improve asthma control, reduce 1 severity and frequency of asthma exacerbations , and improve patients' quality of life, which gives AstraZeneca a strong and even more competitive product portfolio. 1. Pauwels RA et al. Effect of inhaled formoterol and budesonide on exacerbations of asthma. New England Journal of Medicine 1997; 337: 1405-1411. *Oxis Turbuhaler (Formoterol) Bricanyl Turbuhaler (Terbutaline) Pulmicort Turbuhaler (Budesonide) Salbutamol Turbuhaler (Salbutamol) Accolate (Zafirlukast) Bambec (Bambuterol) ** Source: IMS Health (MAT Q2/99) For further information, please contact: UK: Steve Brown +44 171 304 5033 Sweden: Mikael Widell +46 70 311 99 60 ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/01/04/20000104BIT00220/bit0001.pdf http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/01/04/20000104BIT00220/bit0002.doc