The first generic version of GlaxoSmithKline’s market-leading combination asthma therapy Seretide Evohaler has hit UK shores, following the launch of Mylan’s Sirdupla across the country.
Like its branded counterpart, Sirdupla (salmeterol/fluticasone) offers a long-acting beta2-agonist and inhaled corticosteroid in a pressurised metered-dose inhaler and is indicated to help treat or prevent symptoms of asthma in adults 18 years of age and older.
The UK has one of the highest rates of asthma in Europe with 5.4 million people suffering from the condition, costing the National Health Service around £1 billion a year.
Last year Seretide accounted for the lion’s share of costs linked with GP prescriptions, with their value coming in at around £178 million, highlighting the potential savings a cheaper product could generate.
According to Mylan Europe President Jacek Glinka, the launch of Sirdulpla “broadens patient access to an important treatment option and offers a familiar pMDI device experience to UK asthma sufferers,” while helping to reduce the burden of asthma on the NHS.
Sirdupla will be filled, assembled and packaged at 3M Drug Delivery Systems’ manufacturing facility in Loughborough, UK.
