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Recent News
French Medical Societies Recommend Transmucosal Fentanyl As First Line Treatment for Breakthrough Pain in Cancer
PecFent®
(fentanyl pectin nasal spray) - now available in France – is a novel intranasal delivery that provides clinically meaningful pain relief for breakthrough pain in cancer
Paris, France, 08 November 2011: Archimedes Pharma France SARL, a subsidiary of Archimedes Pharma Ltd., today announced that an expert medical panel designated by three medical societies - the French Association for Cancer Care Support (AFSOS), French Society for the Study and Treatment of Pain (SFETD) and the French Society for Accompaniment and Palliative Care (SFAP) - has released new recommendations stating that the transmucosal fentanyl medicine class be a first line treatment for breakthrough pain in cancer (BTPc). In addition, the group determined that transmucosal fentanyl is suitable for both predictable and unpredictable breakthrough pain episodes.
"We are pleased with the recommendation by the French expert medical panel headed by Dr. Philippe Poulain, as it confirms the need for better treatment for the management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients," said André Abric, General Manager, Archimedes Pharma France SARL. "Patients living with this intense and excruciating pain need a rapid-acting treatment that they can rely on. We see the availability of PecFent® in France as a step forward in the care of patients suffering from breakthrough pain in cancer."
Archimedes Pharma Launches Lazanda® – the Only Fentanyl Nasal Spray for the Management of Breakthrough Pain in Cancer in the U.S.
The Innovative Delivery System of Lazanda Offers a New Approach for Adult Cancer Patients Experiencing Debilitating Breakthrough Pain
Reading, England and Bedminster, NJ, 17 October 2011 – Archimedes Pharma Ltd., and its subsidiary, Archimedes Pharma U.S. Inc., today announced that Lazanda® (fentanyl) nasal spray is now available by prescription in U.S. pharmacies. Lazanda is indicated for the management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients 18 years of age and older who are already receiving and who are tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lazanda on June 30, 2011, marking the first product approval for Archimedes Pharma in the U.S. and the first fentanyl nasal spray in the U.S.
Breakthrough pain, experienced by more than half of patients with cancer who have pain, can be debilitating to patients and interfere with their ability to engage in daily living activities. Different from the constant background pain many patients with cancer experience, breakthrough pain is described as an intense, excruciating pain with rapid onset and relatively short duration, which occurs despite taking appropriate opioid therapy for background pain.
Archimedes Pharma Announces All Wales Medicines Strategy Group Recommendation of PecFent® (fentanyl pectin nasal spray) for use within NHS Wales
Reading, England, 6 September 2011 – Archimedes Pharma UK Limited today announced that the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) has recommended PecFent® (fentanyl pectin nasal spray) as an option for use within National Health Service (NHS) Wales for the management of breakthrough pain in adults who are already receiving maintenance opioid therapy for chronic cancer pain. PecFent should only be considered as an option for the management of breakthrough cancer pain when immediate release oral opioids are either inadequate or unsuitable. PecFent may be suitable for shared care but should be initiated by, and remain under the supervision of a specialist physician experienced in the management of opioid therapy in cancer patients.
"We are pleased with the positive decision and recommendation by the AWMSG as it will provide healthcare professionals in NHS Wales with a new treatment option for the management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients," said Andy Farrant, general manager, Archimedes Pharma UK. "Patients with this distressing condition need a rapid–acting treatment that they can rely on. We see the availability of PecFent in Wales as a step forward in the care of patients suffering with breakthrough pain in cancer."
Media Inquiries
Media professionals should contact:
Nick Rothwell
Corporate Communications
Telephone: (908) 450 6537
Email: corporatecommunications@archimedespharma.com
Other Resources
Company Fact Sheet
PecSys® fact sheet
PecSys® Mode of Action video