In Brief: Zeneca's Accolate

Zeneca's Accolate : Firm files NDA for oral leukotriene receptor antagonist in the treatment of asthma on Aug. 25. The Accolate (zafirlukast) database includes 2,600 patients in controlled clinical trials. In two studies with over 1,000 patients, Accolate improved pulmonary function, reduced daytime and nocturnal asthma symptoms and decreased need for inhaled beta-agonists in patients treated for 13 weeks with the drug. In one of the studies, Accolate was comparable in efficacy to cromolyn sodium. A cost-effectiveness trial in 146 mild to moderate asthma patients presented at the American Thoracic Society meeting in May found that treatment with Accolate produced a $9.50 per patient per month savings in physician and hospital visits, adverse events and medications ("The Pink Sheet" May 29, T&G-9)...