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news.The All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) has recommended British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) Incruse Ellipta 55mcg (umeclidinium) for use in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD) within NHS Wales.
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Incruse is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), a type of bronchodilator which can relax airway muscles and improve airflow in and out of the lungs.
GSK Medical Director UK Dr Stephen McDonough said: "We are delighted by this positive recommendation from the AWMSG for Incruse Ellipta.
"Adding a LAMA to our portfolio in the Ellipta inhaler will allow clinicians to tailor treatments to patients’ needs whilst reducing the need for patients to change to different types of inhaler."
The once-daily bronchodilator treatment was introduced by GSK UK in October 2014 and is designed to be delivered using the Ellipta inhaler. The European Commission granted marketing authorisation approval in April 2014.
In combination with Relvar Ellipta (fluticasone furoate/vilanterol), it is the first and only triple therapy option for COPD in the same type of inhaler.