Greater Patient Awareness Vital For Improving Diagnosis Rates Of Asthma And Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 23 Jan 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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To survive in the competitive U.S. asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) market, participants should address the problem of low patient awareness. This issue is a huge cause of concern, since the symptoms for both asthma and COPD often mimic symptoms for other medical conditions. The lack of patient awareness of early symptoms of mild asthma or COPD leads to reduced diagnosis rates, poor disease control, and increased emergency care.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.pharma.frost.com), U.S. Asthma/COPD Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $11.46 billion in 2006 and estimates this to reach $20.21 billion in 2013.

The number of patients diagnosed with either asthma or COPD expects to continue to increase in the United States. Increased awareness about these diseases and increased screening will contribute to further expansion of the patient population.

Still a relatively unknown disease, the COPD market sector runs the risk of under diagnosis and inadequate funding for research. Despite 13.5 million Americans with COPD and 15 million undiagnosed, COPD receives little financial aid from the National Institutes of Health.

"Diagnosis rates can improve through simple education campaigns designed to increase awareness about the early symptoms and proper care for both asthma and COPD," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Katheryn Symank. "Patients should educate themselves on the importance of taking their medications regularly to improve patient compliance and decrease emergency care."

The escalation in the patient population and the development of innovative products that address unmet needs expects to drive growth in this market and create opportunity for revenue expansion.

The market recently witnessed the introduction of devices such as the first nebulized long-acting bronchodilators and products with once-daily dosing. Combination products have great success as well; this occurs when two medications combine to form one fixed product. These collaborative ventures have become popular, particularly among market entrants.

While the swelling patient base in the asthma and COPD market assures market participants of opportunities, product innovation will help pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers tap it. Companies have invented user-friendly drug delivery devices that comply with the stringent regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

U.S. Asthma/COPD Market is part of the Pharmaceutical & Clinical Diagnostics Growth Partnership Service program, which also includes research in the following markets: U.S. multiple sclerosis, U.S. Alzheimer's Disease medications, U.S. COPD market - therapeutic overview and patient outlook. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

Frost & Sullivan, the Global Growth Consulting Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's Growth Partnership Services, Growth Consulting and Career Best Practices empower clients to create a growth focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents.

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