MANILA, Philippines – GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) recently announced the availability in the Philippines of its new intranasal steroid (INS) fluticasone furoate for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). As approved by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), the nasal spray is indicated for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) in adults and children two years and older.
AR is a highly prevalent global disease which has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life. A recent survey highlighted that over 70 percent of patients suffering from AR experience both eye and nasal-related symptoms, which are among their most bothersome symptoms, although currently available AR treatments do not fully address both.
Clinical studies in more than 2,900 adults and children show the efficacy of fluticasone furoate in relieving overall nasal allergy symptoms, which included nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy nose, and runny nose in AR patients two years of age and older. In addition, it is the first prescription nasal steroid spray to demonstrate consistent and significant improvement in relieving overall allergic eye symptoms, which included red, itchy and watery eyes in patients with seasonal allergies 12 years of age and older in three prospectively designed studies. In all studies, fluticasone furoate sustained its effectiveness for a full 24 hours.
A 2008 Medical Design Excellence Gold Award winner, the once-daily treatment is delivered in a unique, ergonomically designed device that was developed with the allergy patient in mind. Its side-actuated mist release button releases a gentle scent and taste-free mist with a low volume of spray, which means patients are less likely to experience a bitter taste or the effects of drip down the back of the throat or out of the nose.
“GSK is proud to continue its long tradition of discovering innovative respiratory medicines with the launch of this new and patient-friendly allergic rhinitis treatment,” says Daisy Cembrano, GSK Philippines public affairs. “We hope to help more Filipino patients get the relief they need from this disease, which poses a significant burden on their quality of life.”
Fluticasone furoate is a prescription medicine available in leading drugstores nationwide. Priced at around 30-percent lower than leading INS brands, it is the latest addition to the portfolio of GSK’s globally-trusted treatments that are now affordable for more Filipinos after the company announced a pioneering 30-50-percent price reduction on most of its major brands.