Latest news with #RuudDobber
India Today
13-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
This inhaler not just helps with COPD but is also climate-friendly
A new inhaler that treats chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and also helps reduce environmental harm has been approved for use in the UK. This inhaler is already available in Trixeo Aerosphere, known as Breztri Aerosphere in India and other countries, is a triple-combination inhaler used to manage makes this significant is that the latest version of the inhaler is now made using a new type of gas (called a next-generation propellant) that does not contribute much to climate Specifically, it has "near-zero Global Warming Potential (GWP)", which means it releases almost no greenhouse gases into the atmosphere when used unlike older inhalers, which use gases that are harmful to the change dramatically cuts the device's environmental UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) gave approval for this improved version of Trixeo after trials showed that the new propellant works just as well as the older new version uses a compound called HFO-1234ze(E), which has 99.9% lower GWP than the traditional propellants used in most pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs).Ruud Dobber, Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca's BioPharmaceuticals division, said, 'We're addressing the needs of both patients and the environment. Trixeo with the new propellant is just the start.'This move aligns with growing concerns about climate change and the healthcare sector's role in reducing emissions. Inhalers like pMDIs are widely used across the world. While they are crucial for managing respiratory diseases, their traditional propellants contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, pMDIs make up 78% of global inhaler use and account for 3% of the NHS's carbon footprint in the metered-dose inhalers are essential for millions living with respiratory diseases. The shift to a low-GWP inhaler means patients don't have to choose between the best treatment and protecting the environment," said Omar Usmani, professor at Imperial College too, has access to this innovation. AstraZeneca Pharma India received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India to import and market Breztri Aerosphere, which has been available in India since January affects over 55 million people in India and is a leading cause of death. Many patients rely on inhalers for daily symptom management. The introduction of a more sustainable inhaler could benefit both public health and the company aims to convert all its pressurised inhalers to this next-gen propellant by 2030 as part of its 'Ambition Zero Carbon' strategy. In the UK, the updated inhaler will begin rolling out in the coming disease control leads to fewer hospital visits and less strain on healthcare systems, ultimately lowering carbon emissions from medical India already having access to this inhaler, it could encourage wider adoption of eco-friendly medicines in the country.
Zawya
14-02-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Over 67 million screenings – AstraZeneca's ‘Healthy Heart Africa' celebrates 10 years of transforming Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) care
AstraZeneca's ( flagship health equity programme - Healthy Heart Africa (HHA), marks its 10th anniversary, celebrating successfully taking over 67 million blood pressure screenings and a decade of action against non-communicable diseases across Africa. Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and accounts for a significant portion of noncommunicable disease (NCD) deaths globally. In Africa, over 27% of adults live with hypertension [1], far above the global average. Since its launch, HHA has conducted over 67 million blood pressure screenings, trained over 11,700 healthcare workers, and activated over 1,550 healthcare facilities across nine African countries in Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Uganda, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Rwanda, Nigeria and Tanzania including the Island of Zanzibar. These efforts have significantly improved access to hypertension diagnosis and treatment, saving countless lives. Ruud Dobber, Executive Vice President and President, BioPharmaceuticals Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: 'Healthy Heart Africa epitomises AstraZeneca's commitment to equitable healthcare. In a decade, we've empowered millions to manage their heart health. Now, we've expanded to tackle chronic kidney disease, ensuring greater resilience in health systems across the continent.' The programme has started addressing chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is closely linked to hypertension and affects 15.8% of Africans. [2] Early detection and management are critical, as CKD often progress silently. HHA aims to improve access to timely diagnosis and treatment, reducing the burden of this disease across communities. This commemoration sets the stage for the upcoming World Health Organization's High-Level Meeting on NCDs [3], reinforcing the urgency of collective action. One facet of the programme's success is built on strong partnerships with governments, NGOs, and community leaders to deliver culturally tailored interventions. Helen McGuire, Global Program Leader, PATH, added: "Working on the Healthy Heart Africa (HHA) programme with AstraZeneca has been truly transformative. Seeing the scale-up and institutionalisation of integrated and expanded NCD services, particularly in countries like Ghana, has been immensely rewarding. The introduction of NCD indicators into national health information systems represents a major milestone, enabling better planning, resource allocation, and outcome monitoring." Ministries of Health across Africa have championed HHA's integration of hypertension care into national policies, ensuring sustainability and local ownership. Permanent Secretary Uganda Ministry of Health, Dr Diana Atwine Kanzira, said: 'In Uganda, our partnership with Healthy Heart Africa has been instrumental in strengthening our response to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), now a major health challenge across Africa. Through this collaboration, we have raised awareness on risk factors, enhanced early detection, linked patients to care, and built the capacity of healthcare workers. By integrating hypertension data into our national health system and advancing digitalization, we are ensuring a seamless patient pathway, enabling progress tracking, and delivering life-saving care to our people.' With its proven model – the Healthy Heart Africa programme aims to expand to new regions, integrating climate-resilient healthcare solutions and prioritising early detection to prevent disease progression. Through such innovative partnerships, the programme aims to deliver care to those most in need. To read more about this programme, please read our Impact Report here Link ( [1] [2] [3] AstraZeneca Data on File: Total Programme Numbers Since Start in 2014 to the end of December 2024 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AstraZeneca. More about: Path PATH is an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations worldwide. Through innovation, partnerships, and a commitment to equity, PATH tackles pressing global health challenges, including non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, and infectious diseases. Learn more at AstraZeneca AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal&Metabolism, and Respiratory&Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit and follow the Company on Twitter @ AstraZeneca. References [1] [2] [3] AstraZeneca Data on File: Total Programme Numbers Since Start in 2014 to the end of December 2024
