GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals has introduced in India an enhanced version of a metered dose inhaler (MDI) with a dose counter, the first of its kind in the country, although a clutch of domestic firms are also believed to be working on their own versions of dose counters.
While MDIs, which have been available for around five decades, are generally regarded as the preferred method of delivery for several drugs to treat obstructive airway diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis, they offered no practical way for patients to track the remaining numbers of doses or amount of medication.
GSK said that its inhaler has an innovative dose counter that keeps track of the number of doses left, which helps patients to take the right number of doses. The inhaler also has a locking system which prevents drug wastage when the inhaler is not in use.
GSK said that the technology had been introduced in its Seretide Evohaler (salmeterol and fluticasone) that is indicated for the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients above four years of age. Seretide Evohaler with the dose counter comes in two strengths, 250mcg and 125mcg, and has been priced at Rs405 ($7.32) and Rs298 per inhaler respectively.
On whether patients will still have the option to stay on with the plain MDI or if the company expects to phase out the older version and generally offer only MDIs with the dose counter, GSK told Scrip that “going forward” Seretide Evohaler MDI with dose counter will be available to patients in the market. “The option to stay on with the plain MDI will depend on the demand and number of patients who require it,” it said.
The company declined to comment on potential competition but analysts say that at least two large Indian firms are well on their way to developing dose counters. “MDI dose counters may possibly redefine the market, but it’s unclear how the price game would play out once domestic competition comes in,” one analyst said.
