The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7204 p901
29 June 2002

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

Products

Prescription Products
• Foradil inhaler
• Ranitidine effervescent tablets
• Fasturtec infusion
Discontinued products
• Aureomycin ointment
• Lemsip Cold and Flu soft gel capsules
• Expulin Chesty Cough linctus
• Kemadrin injection
• Videx tablets
• NovoPen cartridges
• Genotropin KabiVial
Counter medicines
• Cetirizine tablets

Prescription Products

Foradil inhaler

The pouch and brush included in packs of Foradil (formoterol fumarate) dry powder for inhalation will no longer be supplied with the product (Novartis Pharmaceuticals). To clean the inhaler device, it should be rinsed in water and dried. Further information can be obtained from the company's medical information department (tel 01276 698370).

Ranitidine effervescent tablets

Ranitidine effervescent tablets have been launched by the following companies:

• Lagap Pharmaceuticals; net price, 150mg 60 £27.89, 300mg 30 £27.43

• Alpharma; net price, 150mg 60 £27.89, 300mg 30 £27.43.

Fasturtec infusion

A 7.5mg vial of Fasturtec (rasburicase) powder and solvent for infusion has been launched (Sanofi-Synthelabo); net price, £201.

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Discontinued products

Aureomycin ointment

Aureomycin (chlortetracycline hydrochloride) 3 per cent ointment, pack size 30g has been discontinued, with immediate effect (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals).

Lemsip Cold and Flu soft gel capsules

Lemsip Cold and Flu soft gel capsules, pack sizes 8 and 16, have been discontinued, with immediate effect (Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare).

Expulin Chesty Cough linctus

Expulin Chesty Cough linctus, pack size 100ml has been discontinued (Shire Pharmaceuticals).

Kemadrin injection

Kemadrin (procyclidine hydrochloride) injection is being discontinued (GlaxoSmithKline). Supplies are expected to remain available until June 2003.

Videx tablets

Videx (didanosine) 100mg and 150mg tablets are being discontinued (Bristol-Myers Squibb). The 100mg tablets will no longer be available after August and the 150mg tablets will not be available after January 2003.

NovoPen cartridges

NovoPen 1.5ml Penfill cartridges are being discontinued (NovoNordisk). Production will cease in December 2003.

Genotropin KabiVial

Genotropin (somatropin) 5.3mg KabiVial injection is being discontinued (Pharmacia). Further information can be obtained from the company (tel 01908 603014).

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Counter medicines

Cetirizine tablets

Care Cetirizine Hayfever Relief 10mg tablets have been launched (Thorton and Ross); retail price, 7 £3.49. Legal category: pharmacy medicine.

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