Background: Many patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms remain insufficiently controlled despite inhalation treatment, with poor inhaler technique recognized as a significant contributor. Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) need less coordination of actuation and inspiration than pressured metered dose inhalers.
Objectives: To assess whether consideration of 'ideal inhaler' features during design and development of a new DPI device (Forspiro® Sandoz AG, Switzerland) led to an easy-to-use and reliable inhaler.
Methods: Two studies are reported here: i) 24 adult Accuhaler® users received either limited written instructions (n = 12) or fully illustrated instructions (n = 12) for the Forspiro device; and ii) peak inspiratory flow rates through the Forspiro device were assessed in 30 adult and 10 pediatric patients with asthma and 10 adult patients with COPD.
Results: All subjects understood the correct sequence of actions for the Forspiro device and rated all aspects of handling the device as 'very easy' or 'fairly easy' (except one uninstructed subject who rated 'ease of determining number of doses left' as 'fairly difficult'). All patients achieved ≥ 35 l/min, thus demonstrating that the Forspiro device provides low-medium airflow resistance.
Conclusions: Inhaler design providing good drug delivery with maximum ease of use may lead to more reliable therapy and improved control of airway diseases.
Keywords: asthma; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; device handling study; dry powder inhaler; ease of use; salbutamol.