Roflumilast in COPD: a Brazilian perspective

Abstract

Roberto Stirbulov,1 José R Jardim21Department of Respiratory Diseases, Santa Casa School of Medical Sciences in São Paulo, 2Department of Respiratory Diseases, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, Hospital São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilWe would like to discuss the use of roflumilast in Brazil and its perspectives, based on the data currently available. This medication is underused in Brazil, probably due to its high cost in the public health care system. Of the approximately 21,000 patients who have a condition which could be treated with roflumilast (personal communication, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, 2014), only 14% are currently using it