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Product Review An up-to-date review of recent UK pharmaceutical product launches and new licences. |
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Pfizer:
Relpax - Relpax more effective than Sumatriptan
February has seen the arrival of Relpax / Eletriptan from the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. In trials, Relpax was seen to be more effective than Sumatriptan at combating migraine. It is unclear, however, as to what impact this product will have on the UK migraine market. Big players dominating the market at the moment are GSK, Astra-Zeneca and MSD, all with well-established products making the market a difficult one to join. Imigran leads the way, followed by Naramig and Zomig.
Over the past year we have seen the CNS Specialist Company, Lundbeck, gain a firm footing into the market. Almogran was launched in February 2001 and if we look at the Launch Essential panel, over 60% of GPs were aware of the product and over 50% had been detailed. That they have achieved these results in such a short space of time is a true testimony to the effort of the Lundbeck sales force. If Almogran performs to the current trends seen on Launch Essential, in another year we may see similar results as with the more established products.
Abbott Laboratories have introduced Ketek/Telithromycin, which is an erthyromycin derivative, bacteriastatic Ketolide antibiotic with a 400mg bd dosage. Will Ketek have an impact on the respiratory infection market? With the patent expiry of Ciproxin becoming a potential problem, will physicians choose Ketek over this more superior, gold standard for chest infections? Abbott also own a powerful antibiotic in the shape of Klaricid - which is generally an alternative to Ciproxin in most respiratory infections.
Aventis Pasteur MSD have launched another potential blockbuster - Stamaril for yellow fever. This is a single dose, licensed vaccine that is delivered in an extremely convenient presentation. The closest competitor is a product developed by Evans, but this has now encountered licensing problems, leaving a largely unprotected market for Aventis to exploit. Patients will benefit from the new vaccine as they will no longer have to attend satellite travel clinics but will eventually, and more conveniently, be able to receive the immunisation at their local, GP surgery. |
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