Products

Prescription Products Visudyne infusion new indication Prostap SR injection SPC changes Flolan injection Ketoconazole shampoo Tablet colour change Premique tablets Metopirone capsules shortage Traxam range Discontinued Baratol tablets Counter medicines Dettol antiseptic wash Covonia range Miscellany Herbal Premens capsules Websites Price changes

Prescription Products Visudyne infusion new indication The licensed indications for Novartis Ophthalmics Europe's Visudyne (verteporfin) solution for infusion 15mg have been extended. Visudyne is now additionally licensed for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation secondary to pathological myopia. Prostap SR injection SPC changes The summary of product characteristics for Wyeth Laboratories’s Prostap SR (leuprorelin acetate) depot injection 3.75mg has been revised. The following has been added: In women receiving gonadotropin releasing hormone analogues for the treatment of endometriosis, the addition of hormone replacement therapy (HRT — an oestrogen and progestogen) has been shown to reduce bone mineral density loss and vasomotor symptoms. Therefore, if appropriate, HRT should be co-administered with Prostap SR taking into account the risks and benefits of each treatment. Flolan injection GlaxoSmithKline is launching Flolan injection 1.5mg (net price, £139.86). Ketoconazole shampoo Lagap Pharmaceuticals has launched ketoconazole shampoo 2 per cent, pack size 120ml (net price, £5.84). Tablet colour change The colour of the estradiol 2mg tablet from Solvay Healthcare’s Femoston 2/10 and Femoston 2/20 combination preparations and Zumenon (estradiol) 2mg tablets has been changed from orange to brick-red. The company says that there is no need to return packs containing orange estradiol 2mg tablets to its wholesaler. Premique tablets Wyeth Laboratories has added its new Vitality symbol to the packaging of Premique tablets and Premique Cycle calendar pack. The company says that the packaging for Premique tablets has been changed from pink to white while that for Premique Cycle calendar pack has been changed from pale green to pale pink. Metopirone capsules shortage Alliance Pharmaceuticals is experiencing a temporary shortage of Metopirone (metyrapone) 250mg tablets. The company says that normal supplies are expected to be available from October. It will be contacting customers directly to discuss requirements for the product and to confirm the status of outstanding orders. Traxam range Traxam (felbinac) foam, Traxam gel and Traxam pain relief gel have been acquired by Goldshield Pharmaceuticals. All enquires relating to supplies of these products must now be placed with the company’s distributor, UDG, Amber Park, Berristow Lane, South Normanton, Derbyshire DE55 2FH (tel 01773 510123, fax 01773 515051). Back to Top

Discontinued Baratol tablets Shire Pharmaceuticals has discontinued Baratol (indoramin hydrochloride) 50mg tablets because of low demand. The company says that, following production difficulties, Baratol 25mg tablets, pack size 84, are now available and stocks have been delivered to all wholesalers. Back to Top

Counter medicines Dettol antiseptic wash Dettol antiseptic wash, a ready-to-use antiseptic wound spray containing benzalkonium chloride, is being launched by Reckitt Benckiser. The company says that the general sale list product can be used to help wash away dirt and germs from cuts and grazes and to prevent infection from minor wounds (retail price, 100ml £2.49). Covonia range Thornton & Ross has redesigned the packaging of its Covonia range of cough remedies as shown above. Back to Top

Miscellany Herbal Premens capsules SwissHealth has launched Herbal Premens capsules. The company says that the herbal supplement contains whole extract of Vitex agnus castus 40mg and can be used to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Websites Vitabiotics has launched a website to provide general information on nutritional supplements. The website (www.vitabiotics.com) provides consumer information about the role of vitamins and minerals, and advice and recommendations on topics such as pregnancy and cardiovascular health. Janssen-Cilag has launched a psychiatry website (www.psychiatry24x7.co.uk) to provide health care professionals, patients and carers with information on mental health. Using the website, health care professionals will be able to ask questions and receive replies from a panel of mental health experts (this facility is expected to be up and running shortly). Back to Top

Price changes The price changes given below are in pounds and pence, light type indicating the price to pharmacists excluding VAT and heavy type the price to the public including VAT. In the case of medicines dispensed on a doctor's prescription, VAT is not charged to the patient. Aventis Pharma (increased from March 26) IKOREL 10mg 60 £8.18, 20mg 60 £15.54 Stafford-Miller (increased from May 1) PIRITON tablets 4mg 30 x 12 £20.46, each £2.99.

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