Sandoz commits to increasing patient access to important respiratory treatments [1]
November 19, 2014 - Today, on World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day, Sandoz reaffirms its commitment to providing needed treatments for respiratory conditions such as COPD. COPD is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe, with symptoms that can affect aspects of everyday life1,2.
The most common symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, abnormal sputum production, a chronic cough, wheezing and chest tightness4. Daily activities, such as walking up a short flight of stairs, can become very difficult as the condition gradually worsens5. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the primary cause of COPD is tobacco smoke, including second-hand or passive exposure.
The disease affects 210 million people worldwide3 and is projected to be the third leading cause of death globally by 2024.
As the need for effective respiratory treatments increases, Sandoz is committed to developing solutions for patients and making them available globally.
Learn about the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) here [2].
Learn about the Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD) here [3].
References
1Partridge MR et al. Patient insight into the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the morning: an internet survey. Curr Med Res Opin 2009;25(8):2043-8.
2Joshi M et al. Symptom burden in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer. Obstructive, occupational and environmental diseases. 2012;18(2).
3Global Alliance Against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD). Global surveillance, prevention and control of chronic respiratory diseases: a comprehensive approach. Available at:http://www.who.int/gard/publications/GARD%20Book%202007.pdf [3] Last accessed 28 October 2013.
4Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Updated 2013.http://www.goldcopd.org/guidelines-global-strategy-for-diagnosis-management.html [2]. Last accessed 28 October 2013.
5World Health Organization. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Factsheet No. 315. Available at:http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs315/en/index.html [4]. Last accessed 28 October 2013.