FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release
PR01/trade media
15 May 2014
acapella® choice Now on Drug Tariff
acapella® choice, the stand-alone oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure therapy device,
from Smiths Medical, is now available on Drug Tariff.
The acapella® choice device, part of Smiths Medical’s bronchial hygiene product range, is a
flexible lightweight, easy to use system, which is effective in a specialist clinical setting, such
as a respiratory department, on the ward or at home. Smiths Medical, a leader in respiratory
health, focuses on delivering effective interventions for secretion management issues
through its Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) and Positive Airway Pressure (PAP)
programmes.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive disease that can produce
large amounts of mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe. In conditions such as chronic
bronchitis and cystic fibrosis, additional mucus is secreted causing coughing, wheezing,
shortness of breath and chest tightness, providing a host for a range of infections costing the
NHS more than £800 million each year1. The treatment of acute respiratory conditions, and
chronic respiratory diseases, involves many therapeutic treatments with the main aim of
keeping airways open. The most effective way to do this is to manage secretions.
Effective secretion management includes the detection, hydration, mobilisation, removal and
collection of excessive secretions, to help improve or preserve respiratory health. Smiths
Medical is committed to improving the quality of life for patients with respiratory conditions.
Smiths Medical’s acapella® oscillating PEP therapy is used as part of a broader bronchial
hygiene and lung expansion therapy programme.
In 2011, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) COPD costing
report1 recommended a focus on managing stable COPD inhaled combination therapy to
keep patients out of hospital and reduce NHS costs.
Oscillating PEP therapy, through
acapella® choice, can be used to help achieve this.
The British Thoracic Society
Guidelines2, for the
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PR01/trade media
15 May 2014
physiotherapy management of adult spontaneously breathing patients, recommend
Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure therapy for patients with stable COPD.
Cliff Pool, UK Airway Marketing Manager, for Smiths Medical, says: “We are pleased to have
acapella® on Drug Tariff, as it allows easier access for patients to the acapella oscillating
PEP therapy device.
acapella® is an easy to use, cost effective device that can be used
within community clinics or a hospital environment for a wide range of respiratory conditions.
It can also be self-administered at home, or in the workplace, to manage the patient’s
condition without the assistance of a clinician and help prevent emergency hospital
admissions, which in turn helps to reduce costs to the NHS3,4.
For more information on the acapella® choice device, or on Smiths Medical’s secretion
management programme and product range, please contact Cliff Pool, on 07812 151 829,
email ukcs@smiths-medical.com or visit www.smiths-medical.com
-EndsNotes to Editor:
Please find attached an image of the acapella® choice device.
References:
1
COPD costing report. NICE 2011.
2
Thorax 2009;64(Suppl I):i1–i51. doi:10.1136/thx.2008.110726
3
Steen HJ, Redmond AOB, O’Neill D, Beattie F. Acta Paediatr Scand. Evaluation of the PEP
mask in cystic fibrosis. 1991; 80:51-56.
4
Tyrell JC, Hiller EJ, Martin J. Face mask physiotherapy in cystic fibrosis. Archives of Dis in
Child 1986; 61: 598-611.
About Smiths Medical
Smiths Medical - www.smiths-medical.com - is a leading supplier of specialized medical
devices and equipment for global markets, focusing on the medication delivery, vital care
and safety devices market segments. It is part of Smiths Group - www.smiths.com - a
global leader in applying advanced technologies for markets in threat and contraband
detection, energy, medical devices, communications and engineered components. Smiths
Group employs approximately 22,000 people in more than 50 countries.
For further information please contact:
Carol Laing, tel: 01663 735 160, mobile: 07720 895 903, email:
carol@indigompr.co.uk
Tracey Halstead, tel: 01663 734 789, mobile: 07876 504 754, email:
tracey@indigompr.co.uk
Judith Rossi, tel: +1 781 793 2539, email: judy.rossi@smiths-medical.com