‎Singapore: Mundipharma, an Asian pharmaceutical company, has launched Flutiform (fluticasone propionate/formoterol fumarate), a new combination therapy for the maintenance treatment of asthma in Hong Kong.

Approved by the Drug Office, Department of Health, flutiform is the combination of fluticasone, an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), and formoterol, a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) therapy delivered via a single aerosol inhaler for the first time.

The new combination is indicated for the regular treatment of asthma in patients aged 12 years and over whose symptoms are either not adequately controlled with an ICS plus an as-needed short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA), or are already adequately controlled with an ICS plus LABA.

Asthma is estimated to affect 235 million people worldwide and is a major preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. In Hong Kong, more than 330,000 people suffered from asthma in 2011.

"Asthma still represents an important clinical challenge despite currently available treatments," said Professor David Price, Centre of Academic Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom.