Thornton & Ross Ltd. (part of the STADA Group) enters UK respiratory market with Fixkoh Airmaster™ launch

Thornton & Ross Ltd. (part of the STADA Group) enters UK respiratory market with Fixkoh Airmaster™ launch

7^th July 2021

Thornton & Ross Ltd. has launched salmeterol xinafoate/fluticasone propionate Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI)– under the brand name Fixkoh Airmaster™ in the UK

Fixkoh Airmaster™ is the first launch into the UK respiratory disease market for Thornton & Ross, part of STADA Arzneimittel AG and is indicated for use in the regular treatment of asthma where use of a combination product, long-acting β₂-agonist and inhaled corticosteroid is appropriate. Additionally, it can be used for the symptomatic treatment of patients with COPD (1,2,3).

Therapeutically equivalent to the originator product (4), Fixkoh Airmaster™ is the first generic dry powder inhalation (DPI) formulation to allow flexible dosing across three strengths of salmeterol xinafoate/fluticasone propionate.

Available in strengths of 50/100 microgram, 50/250 microgram and 50/500 microgram; Fixkoh Airmaster™ can help the airways within the lungs stay open, reduce swelling and irritation in the lungs and can reduce the number of outbreaks of COPD symptoms for patients (5).

Affecting one in five people, respiratory disease is the third biggest cause of death in England (6) and the NHS spends over £1.9 billion on treating asthma and COPD annually (7). Generic medicines have been shown to be much less expensive to the NHS, with cost savings of around £7.1 billion being achieved (8). As a generic DPI, Thornton & Ross have estimated moving to Fixkoh Airmaster™ could save the NHS £15.7m overall, based on DPI prescribing across CCGs and health boards (9).

Vice President Nicholas Ettery said:  We are extremely proud to launch Fixkoh Airmaster™ into the UK market. This allows us to introduce a product with therapeutic equivalence, comprehensive options and cost-effective treatment option for patients with asthma and COPD conditions, and the NHS overall. In addition to this, we also provide extensive video, digital and print materials to ensure easy and smooth implementation for healthcare professionals and patients.”

-ENDS-

About Thornton & Ross

Founded in 1922, Thornton & Ross grew to become the largest independent pharmaceutical manufacturer in the UK, before becoming part of the STADA group in 2013. From a base in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, Thornton & Ross develop, manufacture and supply a growing portfolio of healthcare products as a trusted and reliable provider of prescription products (including emollients, bone health, generics and specialty products) to the NHS.

About STADA Arzneimittel AG
STADA Arzneimittel AG is headquartered in Bad Vilbel, Germany. The company focuses on generics, including specialty generics, and non-prescription consumer healthcare products. Worldwide, STADA Arzneimittel AG sells its products in approximately 120 countries. In financial year 2020, STADA achieved group sales of EUR 3,010.3 million and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of EUR 713.3 million. As of 31 December 2020, STADA employed 12,301 people worldwide.

Sources

1. Thornton & Ross Ltd. 2021. Summary of Product Characteristics. Fixkoh Airmaster 50 microgram/100 microgram/ dose inhalation powder, pre-dispensed. Available at https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/12079/smpc. Access date: June 2021
2. Thornton & Ross Ltd. 2021. Summary of Product Characteristics. Fixkoh Airmaster 50 microgram/250 microgram/ dose inhalation powder, pre-dispensed. Available at https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/12080/smpc. Access date: June 2021
3. Thornton & Ross Ltd. 2021. Summary of Product Characteristics. Fixkoh Airmaster 50 microgram/500 microgram/ dose inhalation powder, pre-dispensed. Available at https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/12082/smpc. Access date: June 2021
4.  Swedish Medical Products Agency. 2019. Public Assessment Report: Scientific discussion. Sipova Airmaster. Available at https://docetp.mpa.se/LMF/Sipova%20Airmaster%20inhalation%20powder,%20pre-dispensed%20ENG%20PAR_09001bee8135c53f.pdf. Access date: June 2021
5. Fixkoh Airmaster Package leaflet: Information for the patient 92973042008_PIL
6. British Lung Foundation. Lung disease in the UK – big picture statistics. 2016. Available at https://statistics.blf.org.uk/lung-disease-uk-big-picture.  Access date: June 2021
7. Bloom, CI. et al. Cost saving of switching to equivalent inhalers and its effect on health outcomes. Thorax 2019;74(11):1078-1086
8. Alderwick H , Robertson R , Appleby J , et al . Better Value in the NHS: the role of changes in clinical practice. London, UK: The King’s Fund, 2015
9. Data on file based on HSCIC Value data. GP prescribing Presentation-level data. £ Value of Sales October 2020.

Legal Category

Fixkoh Airmaster 50 microgram/100 microgram/ dose inhalation powder, pre-dispensed: Legal Category POM: Prescription only medicine

Fixkoh Airmaster 50 microgram/250 microgram/ dose inhalation powder, pre-dispensed: Legal Category POM: Prescription only medicine

Fixkoh Airmaster 50 microgram/500 microgram/ dose inhalation powder, pre-dispensed: Legal Category POM: Prescription only medicine

Prices (1 x 60 dose Fixkoh Airmaster)

Fixkoh Airmaster 50 microgram/100 microgram/ dose inhalation powder, pre-dispensed: £14.47

Fixkoh Airmaster 50 microgram/250 microgram/ dose inhalation powder, pre-dispensed: £19.29

Fixkoh Airmaster 50 microgram/500 microgram/ dose inhalation powder, pre-dispensed: £24.12