The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7228 p841
14 December 2002

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

Products

Prescription Products
• Loratadine tablets
• Provigil tablets
• GlaxoSmithKline Diskhalers
SPC changes
• Provigil new indication
• NeoRecormon injection
Discontinued products
• Fybozest Orange granules
• Ostram sachets
Supply problems
• Mucodyne capsules and syrup
• Fenox drops and spray

Prescription Products

Loratadine tablets

Lagap Pharmaceuticals has launched loratadine 10mg tablets, pack size 30; net price, £7.57.

Provigil tablets

Provigil (modafinil) 200mg tablets have been launched (Cephalon); net price, 30 £120.

GlaxoSmithKline Diskhalers

The number of disks provided with the following Diskhalers is being increased from 14 to 15:

• Becodisks (beclometasone dipropionate); net price, 100µg £12.90, 200µg £24.59

• Flixotide (fluticasone propionate); net price, 50µg £8.78, 100µg £13.67, 250µg £25.92, 500µg £43.06

• Ventodisks (salbutamol); net price, 200µg £7.50, 400µg £12.72

The size of the following refill packs will also increase from 14 to 15:

• Becodisk; net price, 100µg £12.28, 200µg £23.96

• Flixotide; net price, 50µg £8.21, 100µg £13.10, 250µg £25.35, 500µg £42.49

• Ventodisks; net price, 200µg £6.94, 400µg £12.14

The number of disks in packs of Becodisk 400µg Diskhaler and refills will increase from 7 to 15; net price, Diskhaler packs £48.54, refill packs £47.92.

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SPC changes

Provigil new indication

The licensed indications for Prov-igil (modafinil) tablets have been updated (Cephalon). Provigil is now additionally indicated for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnoea or hypopnoea syndrome.

NeoRecormon injection

The summaries of product characteristics for all NeoRecormon (epoetin beta) injection preparations have been updated (Roche Products). The posology and method of administration section says that the weekly dose can now be given as one subcutaneous injection per week. See SPC.

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Discontinued products

Fybozest Orange granules

Fybozest Orange (ispaghula) granules, pack size 265g, are being discontinued with immediate effect (Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare).

Ostram sachets

Ostram (calcium phosphate) 3.3g sachets are being discontinued. Existing stocks are expected to be exhausted by the end of this year (Merck Pharmaceuticals).

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Supply problems

Mucodyne capsules and syrup

Supply problems are being experienced with Mucodyne (carbocisteine) 375mg capsules and 250mg/5ml and 125mg/5ml Mucodyne syrup (Aventis Pharma). Aventis will not be holding back orders and will be cancelling any existing orders. The company's customer services department can be contacted for enquiries (tel 08705 133 347).

Fenox drops and spray

Fenox (phenylephrine) nasal drops and spray are now back in stock (Thornton & Ross).

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