First-ever patient focused drug development meeting for chronic cough will be held in October 2026.

Washington D.C., June 18, 2026 — For the first time, a coalition of patient advocacy organizations is uniting to bring the voice of the chronic cough community directly to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, COPD Foundation, Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform, and Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation announce Let’s Talk Cough, a joint effort to document and elevate the lived experience of chronic cough. This initiative aims to capture the full impact of chronic cough across many conditions, current management strategies, unmet medical needs, and treatment outcomes that matter most patients—with the goal of informing the development of new therapies.

On October 28, 2026, Let’s Talk Cough will culminate in a hybrid, externally-led patient-focused drug development (EL-PFDD) meeting, conducted in parallel with the FDA’s PFDD initiative. The meeting will be streamed live, bringing members of the global chronic cough community together to share their experiences and perspectives. A “Voice of the Patient” report will summarize insights gathered during the Let’s Talk Cough meeting and throughout the planning process, creating a resource for researchers, drug makers, regulators, healthcare professionals, and the broader chronic cough community.

Initial discussions about the initiative generated enthusiasm and validated the need for this initiative. “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.

Chronic cough—defined as a daily or intermittent cough lasting 8 weeks or longer in adults or 4 weeks or longer in children—is commonly associated with chronic lung conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Let’s Talk Cough is designed to capture that shared experience while honoring the distinct perspectives of each community represented.

“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,” said Dr. Amy Hajari Case, Chief Medical Officer of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. “Let’s Talk Cough gives patients a platform to share the daily burden of living with a persistent cough for which effective treatment options remain inadequate.”

Visit letstalkcough.org and complete the sign-up form to receive timely updates about the meeting on October 28, 2026, and other opportunities to participate and spread the word.

Let’s Talk Cough is made possible by support from GSK and Trevi Therapeutics. Sponsor support is independent of all programmatic, scientific, and editorial decisions, which remain solely with the host organizations.