Cipla Ltd. launched the Breathefree Yatra, a patient outreach program, to kick off the new year with a continuous focus on patient care. The goal of this program is to assist people in determining and comprehending their respiratory health status. This is accomplished by expanding the channels available for the screening of chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The Breathefree Yatra is expected to traverse more than 300 locations over the course of three weeks, potentially providing support to more than 60,000 patients throughout India.

A critical first step in improving disease management is obtaining an early and accurate diagnosis. However, the Global Asthma Network (GAN) study found that up to 82% of people who now wheeze and up to 70% of people who have severe asthma symptoms go untreated. In contrast, it is thought that 95–98% of COPD cases in India go undiagnosed. There are many causes for this somber reality, but having access to the right medical facilities is a major one. The necessity for stronger patient support programs that assist asthmatics in early diagnosis of their disease, which can help them take control of their condition and improve their quality of life, is thus highlighted.

A prime example of how the business has put this purpose into practice is the Breathefree initiative. Breathefree, one of the most comprehensive patient assistance programs, covers every step of the patient care process, including screening, counseling, and treatment adherence.

Through numerous initiatives, including outreach events like the Breathefree Yatra, the program has developed into a wide network of committed instructors that benefits patients all over the country. In order to further this goal, the Breathefree program has developed India’s first digital educator for inhalation device training, known as the Breathefree Digital Educator. This platform offers yet another level of care by providing help ranging from proper device technique, device maintenance, and counseling on the dos and don’ts of inhaler usage in seven languages.