Fluticasone propionate/salmeterol

The combination preparation fluticasone/salmeterol is a formulation containing fluticasone propionate and salmeterol xinafoate, used in the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline under various trade names including Advair (in the US and Canada), Seretide (Brazil, India, Australia, Colombia, EU, Russia, México, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, UK, Estonia), Viani (Germany), Adoair (Japan) and Foxair (South Africa). In India it is marketed by Intas under the trade name Quikhale SF. Annual worldwide sales were approximately US$7 billion in 2009. Patent protection in the US expired in 2010, and European patent protection expired in 2013. However, the availability of a generic form of Advair in the United States may be significantly delayed because the Food and Drug Administration has not determined a standard for the bioequivalence of inhaled steroids in multi-dose inhalers or dry powder inhalers.