Luforbec (beclomethasone/formoterol) 100/6 pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pDMI) is indicated for the treatment of adult asthma and the symptomatic treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Lupin Healthcare said “[Luforbec] has the potential to release cost savings for the NHS over time”, as it claimed the NHS spent more than £179 million on Fostair 100/6 pMDI in the 12 months to February 2021.

However, Lupin Healthcare was not able to give C+D an estimate of the potential savings that Luforbec could bring the NHS, as it is “in the process of agreeing on the list price” for it with the Department of Health and Social Care.

The product will launch later this year, but an official launch date has yet to be confirmed, a Lupin spokesperson told C+D.

Pharmacists will be able to order it from UK wholesalers later this year, the spokesperson added.

Respiratory disease is the third biggest cause of death in England and NHS England and NHS Improvement have made identifying it a “clinical priority” in the NHS long-term plan.