RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- GlaxoSmithKline
disagrees with the FDA's proposed product labeling changes for Serevent and
Advair, because they are inconsistent with established NIH treatment
guidelines and the standard of care for asthma treatment, which could put many
patients at risk of uncontrolled asthma.
The proposed changes are a departure from recent outcomes of a July 2005
FDA advisory committee meeting that reinforced the favorable benefit-to-risk
profile of both medicines. The advisory committee supported the use of long-
acting beta-agonists (LABA) in combination with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)
and proposed no new restrictions. Since that time, there have been no new
data on the safety or efficacy about salmeterol used alone or in combination
with ICS.
"Patient safety is of paramount concern to GSK which is why we disagree
with the FDA's proposed labeling changes," said Dr. Kathy Rickard, GSK Vice
President Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, respiratory medicine in
the U.S. "These proposed labeling changes would reserve the most effective
asthma treatment -- the combination of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting
beta agonists -- until after a patient has failed on other treatment options
and therefore may be at risk for severe outcomes, such as exacerbations and
potentially death."
GSK believes sufficient safety information about these medicines is
already in the labels to help guide physicians about their appropriate use.
However, we will work with FDA to address the differences of opinion about how
best to communicate the benefit risk profile of these medicines for optimal
patient care.
The current labeling of Advair is consistent with asthma treatment
guidelines established by the NIH and supported by GSK. These guidelines
position ICS and LABA as first-line therapy for moderate to severe persistent
asthma, and are supported by a significant body of evidence.
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects 20 million Americans, causing
about 5,000 deaths each year. The risk of uncontrolled asthma is significant
and could cause life-threatening situations requiring emergency room visits,
hospitalization and even causing death. African Americans and Hispanics are
three to five times more affected by asthma in the U.S.
GSK has confidence in the proven safety profile of Advair and Serevent
when these products are used appropriately and in line with national treatment
guidelines. There have been 81.9 million prescriptions filled to date in the
U.S. for Advair alone.
GlaxoSmithKline is committed to the appropriate use of its medicines and
communicating safety information about its products. GSK has worked
diligently to ensure physicians have the latest information about Serevent and
Advair, which are among the most studied asthma medicines worldwide and have
benefited millions of patients.
About Serevent:
Serevent Diskus is indicated for long-term twice-daily (morning and
evening) administration in the maintenance treatment of asthma and in the
prevention of bronchospasm in patients 4 years of age and older with
reversible obstructive airway disease, including patients with symptoms of
nocturnal asthma, who require regular treatment with inhaled, short-acting
beta2-agonist. It is not indicated for patients whose asthma can be managed
by occasional use of inhaled, short-acting beta2-agonists.
About Advair:
Advair Diskus is indicated for the long-term, twice-daily, maintenance
treatment of asthma in patients 4 years of age and older. Advair Diskus is
NOT indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm.
GlaxoSmithKline -- one of the world's leading research-based
pharmaceutical and healthcare companies -- is committed to improving the
quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live
longer.
SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline
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