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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Asia: Opportunities and Challenges 

Bhome AB.

RDD Asia 2016. Volume , 2016: 45-56.

Abstract:

Rising morbidity and mortality of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Asia, the tobacco consumption epidemic coupled with the variety of tobacco smoking modalities available to Asians, non-uniform availability of drugs especially inhaled drugs in Asia – which is likely to escalate as new patented molecules enter the market – represent some of the major factors that distinguish Asia in sharp contrast to the rest of the world. The exaggerated heterogeneity of COPD in Asia makes management challenging, and perhaps phenotype management holds the key to maximize therapeutic benefits.

Indigenous pharmaceutical industries driving innovation, together with the increasing size of the national markets, provide opportunities for regional and global pharmaceutical com- panies to provide cost-effective medicines and modalities of treatment to their Asian consumers.