Reckitt Launches Nationwide Case-Finding Initiative to Help Primary Care Providers Identify Millions of Undiagnosed COPD Patients

Collaboration with Leading Pulmonologists to Support Early Diagnosis of Chronic Chest Conditions

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly referred to as COPD, affects 16 million adults nationwide, with another 16 million or more remaining undiagnosed*. A progressive disease with a poor prognosis, COPD diminishes quality of life, causes chronic respiratory symptoms and increases mortality. November is National COPD Awareness Month, and Reckitt – the leading hygiene, health and nutrition company behind household brands Mucinex, Delsym, and Lysol – is launching a nationwide education program to help raise awareness of the importance of early diagnoses of COPD and the vital role primary care physicians can play.

In collaboration with two leading pulmonologists – Dr. Byron Thomashow, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of the COPD Foundation; and Dr. Robert Sussman, a community pulmonologist and former Medical Director of the Atlantic Respiratory Institute Clinical Research Center in Summit, NJ – Reckitt is providing primary care physicians with an approach to help them identify patients at risk for chronic lung disorder.

"There are an alarming number of Americans with undiagnosed chronic lung conditions, including stable chronic bronchitis and emphysema – two common conditions that contribute to COPD; millions, in fact," says Dr. Sussman "If we can identify and diagnose these patients early on, they have the potential to benefit from management strategies that could lead to improvement in both short and long-term health outcomes."

This program includes a toolkit with an overview of the rationale for screening, a video featuring Dr. Thomashow and Dr. Sussman, a five-question case finding tool and a flow chart to help identify and score at-risk patients. 

"Our purpose at Reckitt is to protect, heal and nurture; and everything we do and make helps advance that purpose," said Tina Terraciano, Associate Director, Medical Marketing at Reckitt. "It's only natural for Reckitt to launch and support a program that not only aligns with our purpose, but also provides primary care physicians with the helpful tools to facilitate early diagnosis of COPD and help in the fight for better respiratory health in America.

Media Contact: Kelly Monaco and Amanda Pisano at [email protected]

Reckitt* exists to protect, heal and nurture in a relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We believe that access to the highest-quality hygiene, wellness and nourishment is a right, not a privilege.

Reckitt is the company behind some of the world's most recognizable and trusted consumer brands in hygiene, health and nutrition, including Air Wick, Calgon, Cillit Bang, Clearasil, Dettol, Durex, Finish, Gaviscon, Harpic, Lysol, Mortein, Mucinex, Nurofen, Strepsils, Vanish, Veet, Woolite and more.

Every day, more than 20 million Reckitt products are bought globally. We always put consumers and people first, seek out new opportunities, strive for excellence in all that we do and build shared success with all our partners. We aim to do the right thing, always.

We are a diverse global team of c. 40,000 colleagues. We draw on our collective energy to meet our ambitions of purpose-led brands, a healthier planet and a fairer society. Find out more, or get in touch with us at www.reckitt.com/us.

*Reckitt is the trading name of the Reckitt Benckiser group of companies.

Mucinex is America's #1 doctor-recommended adult cough and cold brand, and contains the active ingredient guaifenesin, which helps thin and loosen mucus. Guaifenesin has a professional indication for thinning and loosening mucus in patients with stable chronic bronchitis, one of the common conditions that contribute to COPD.

Sources:
Radius, 2017 Survey of 1155 past 12-month chest congestion and/or cough sufferers ages 18 and over, proprietary Reckitt research
IQVIA Pro Voice Survey of Physicians, 52 weeks ending December 31, 2021

For more information about Dr. Byron Thomashow, visit https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/profile/byron-m-thomashow-md and https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w27dutIK7pWe4vkd4gBLD2MKU_EsL7xd/view?usp=sharing for a brief bio.

For more information about Dr. Sussman, visit: https://findadoctor.atlantichealth.org/provider/Robert+Sussman/642248#provider-details-experience

SOURCE Reckitt