Chronic cough affects millions of people living with lung conditions like asthma and COPD, yet it remains one of the most overlooked and undertreated respiratory symptoms. Now, a groundbreaking coalition of patient advocacy organizations is working to change that by giving chronic cough sufferers a direct voice in how new treatments are developed.

What Is Chronic Cough and Why Does It Matter So Much?

Chronic cough is defined as a daily or intermittent cough lasting 8 weeks or longer in adults, or 4 weeks or longer in children. Unlike a temporary cough from a cold, chronic cough persists and can significantly disrupt daily life. It's commonly associated with chronic lung conditions including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, and pulmonary fibrosis.

The impact goes far beyond the annoying tickle in your throat. Chronic cough can disturb sleep, strain your voice, make conversations difficult, and create a sense of helplessness when standard treatments don't provide relief.

"The burden of chronic cough is debilitating. It's a community that has been systematically dismissed, and Let's Talk Cough is much needed to elevate the experiences of a community with great unmet needs," stated Tonya Winders, President of the Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform.

Tonya Winders, President of the Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform

How Are Patient Groups Changing Drug Development for Chronic Cough?

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, COPD Foundation, Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform, and Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation have launched an initiative called "Let's Talk Cough" to document and elevate the lived experience of people with chronic cough. This is the first-ever patient-focused drug development effort specifically dedicated to chronic cough.

On October 28, 2026, these organizations will hold a hybrid, externally-led patient-focused drug development (PFDD) meeting conducted in parallel with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's PFDD initiative. The meeting will be streamed live, bringing members of the global chronic cough community together to share their experiences and perspectives directly with FDA staff, researchers, and drug developers.

The insights gathered will be compiled into a "Voice of the Patient" report that will serve as a resource for researchers, drug makers, regulators, healthcare professionals, and the broader chronic cough community. This document will help shape the development of new therapies by ensuring that patient priorities and unmet medical needs are at the center of drug development decisions.

Steps to Participate in Let's Talk Cough

• Sign Up for Updates: Visit letstalkcough.org and complete the sign-up form to receive timely information about the October 28, 2026 meeting and other opportunities to participate.
• Share Your Story: The initiative is designed to capture the shared experience of chronic cough while honoring the distinct perspectives of each community represented, including those with asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary fibrosis.
• Spread the Word: Help raise awareness about the initiative within your network so that more people living with chronic cough can have their voices heard in the drug development process.

Why Has Chronic Cough Been Overlooked for So Long?

"Chronic cough is more than a symptom. It can take a significant toll on quality of life for patients living with a range of lung and respiratory conditions," explained Dr. Amy Hajari Case, Chief Medical Officer of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.

Dr. Amy Hajari Case, Chief Medical Officer of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

Despite its prevalence and impact, chronic cough has historically received less attention than other respiratory symptoms. Many patients report that their cough is dismissed as "just a symptom" rather than recognized as a serious condition affecting their quality of life. The Let's Talk Cough initiative addresses this gap by documenting the full burden of chronic cough across multiple conditions and current management strategies, as well as identifying treatment outcomes that matter most to patients.

The Patient-Focused Drug Development initiative, which the FDA launched in 2013, has provided comprehensive understanding of the lived experience of more than 150 medical conditions to date. The October 28, 2026 Let's Talk Cough meeting represents a significant milestone for the chronic cough community, offering a unique opportunity for patients to express their experiences, needs, and priorities directly to decision-makers in drug development.

For people living with chronic cough, this initiative signals that their experiences are finally being recognized and valued in the process of developing new treatments. By centering patient voices in drug development, the Let's Talk Cough coalition is working to ensure that future therapies address the real-world needs of the chronic cough community.