FDA approves Teva inhaler with dose counter

NORTH WALES, Pa. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a version of a drug made by Teva that includes a dose counter, the drug maker said.

Teva announced the approval of the inhaled drug ProAir HFA (albuterol sulfate) with a dose counter for treating bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and preventing exercise-induced bronchospasm in patients ages 4 years and older. The dose counter is designed to help patients and caregivers keep track of the number of doses in the canister.

"Short-acting beta-agonists like ProAir are an essential component of clinical treatment guidelines for asthma, [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] and EIB," Teva SVP global respiratory research and development Tushar Shah said. "The dose counter is designed to help patients, as well as their healthcare providers, keep track of the number of doses remaining in the inhaler."

The company plans to launch the new inhalers later in the year.

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