The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7475 p460
27 October 2007

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Pfizer ceases production of inhaled insulin

Pfizer is to cease production of Exubera, its inhaled insulin product, following disappointing worldwide sales.

Announcing the decision alongside the company’s latest financial results, Jeff Kindler, chairman and chief executive of Pfizer, said that the company initially had high expectations for Exubera.

However, he said, Exubera has failed to gain acceptance among patients and doctors and the company had decided that further investment is unwarranted. Pfizer is to work with doctors to help transfer Exubera patients to other treatment options over the next three months.

A spokeswomen for Pfizer UK said that patients taking Exubera should consult their diabetes care team to discuss treatment options.

She emphasised that the decision had been taken on a purely commercial basis and patients need not be concerned about the safety or efficacy of Exubera.