Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | TreatmentTrends | US | 2015
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disorder and the third-leading cause of death in the United States. No currently available therapy treats the underlying cause of the disease, but a growing assortment of bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents are available to treat the symptoms, intensifying the competition in this market. With the availability of newer agents, including GlaxoSmithKline/Theravance’s Breo and GlaxoSmithKline/Theravance’s Anoro, the treatment landscape will have an impact on the long-established market leaders—Boehringer Ingelheim’s Spiriva, GlaxoSmithKline’s Advair, and AstraZeneca’s Symbicort. This report provides a comprehensive review of the current and anticipated management of COPD based on primary research with pulmonologists; it explores the use of short- and long-acting bronchodilators, these agents’ patient and market share, the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the key brands, barriers to more-widespread uptake, and sales force performance. In addition, respondents are queried about their awareness of, and interest in, fixed-dose combinations in development for COPD.