May, 2003
For Immediate Release

3M Pharmaceuticals Finds a Way to Help Smaller Airways Take Bigger Breaths
QVAR™ (beclomethasone dipropionate) Inhalation Aerosol Receives Paediatric Indication from Health Canada

London, ON - Every parent can remember his or her child’s first step, first word, first day of school. Part of being a parent is relishing those firsts, right from the first breath. Somewhere along the line though for thousands of Canadian children with asthma, breathing is no longer effortless. These children have to fight for every breath, which can leave them feeling exhausted and frightened. Controlling this feeling of gasping for air is now a little easier thanks to QVAR.

3M Pharmaceuticals has just received Notice of Compliance from Health Canada for QVAR (beclomethasone dipropionate) Inhalation Aerosol to be prescribed to children 5 years of age and older. “This is good news that QVAR can now be prescribed for children down to the age of 5,” said Chris Haromy, a Respiratory Therapist and Certified Asthma Educator at the Asthma Society. “Childhood asthma rates have risen so much in the last 20 years. Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood.” In Canada, the Asthma Society estimates as many as one in every seven children under the age of 12, have asthma. According to Statistics Canada, asthma is the leading cause of hospital admissions among children. Sadly, in Canada, 20 children die from asthma every year.

During an asthma attack, the small airways in the lungs become inflamed and swell up. As the airways become too narrow for air to move properly through the lungs, it becomes harder to breathe. At the same time, the muscles around the airways tighten, closing them even further and mucus floods the airways, making it even more difficult to breathe. Asthma attacks are often brought on by ’triggers’. These include: cold air, viruses, smoke, exercise, dust mites, and inhaled irritants. Inhaled irritants include smoke, pet dander, dust and airborne chemicals. Genetics may also be a factor, and in rare instances, some foods may also trigger an attack.

In order to control the inflammation in the tiny airways effectively, the asthma medication must get to the entire lung. Almost three quarters of the lungs are made up of small airways that are less than 2 mm in diameter. In children, a greater proportion of their lungs are comprised of small airways, so getting medication to those airways is even more critical.

QVAR works because its extra fine particles are able to reach the tiniest airways in children’s lungs. “There is more and more evidence indicating the value and safety of inhaled corticosteroid therapy,” believes Dr. Allan Becker, a Paediatric Allergist at The Children’s Hospital of Winnipeg. “Regular use of low and medium-dose inhaled corticosteroids is very effective at controlling symptoms and preventing asthma exacerbations, resulting in a better quality of life.”

QVAR is helping smaller airways take bigger breaths, leaving parents breathing easier as well.

3M Pharmaceuticals has been in the forefront of inhaler technology for more than 40 years and is renowned for its technological expertise in the field of respiratory medicine. 3M developed the first portable Metered Dose Inhaler in 1956 and more than half of all inhalers produced globally by various companies use 3M technology. 3M Pharmaceuticals’ pioneering efforts in healthcare innovations are seen in the development of CFC-free products like QVAR. These products allow patients to continue receiving the benefits of corticosteroid aerosol delivery in familiar devices with improved lung deposition and dosing consistency.

QVAR is co-promoted by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a member of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, which manufactures and sells innovative health care and consumer products in Canada and around the world. McNeil’s Canadian head office is located in Guelph, Ontario and is the manufacturing site for most TYLENOL* products sold in Canada.

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For more information:
QVAR Fact Sheet
Asthma Fact Sheet
QVAR Q & A

Contact 3M Canada PR department.

QVAR is available only by prescription. QVAR is a trademark of 3M. Used under license in Canada.

*Trademark of McNeil Consumer Healthcare.