Valios Pharma unveils user-friendly dry powder inhaler

NEW YORK A new inhaler being unveiled by Valois Pharma is being touted as more user friendly, while delivering the medication in an easier and safer way, according to published reports.

Prohaler is a dry powder inhaler that works in three simple steps: open, breath-in and close. The inhaler also uses a novel powder-dispersion technology, enabling high lung-deposition even without the use of the propellants used in pressurized metered-dose inhalers. Medicine is stored in individual blisters and a dose counter is included so the patient knows how many doses remain.

Valois says the inhaler is ideal for asthma sufferers and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These diseases generated $20 billion in global drug sales in 2006 and are expected to generate $35 billion by 2011.