Sniffing a profit

Andrx Corporation, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, US, has launched its loratadine/pseudoephedrine 10mg/240mg product, that is bioequivalent to Schering-Plough's Claritin-D(R) 24 Hour Extended Release Tablets ('Claritin-D 24'), through its marketing partner, L. Perrigo Company. This generic equivalent will be offered as an OTC product and will enjoy a 180-day period of market exclusivity.

Claritin-D 24 is a once daily decongestant used to relieve symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (commonly known as hay fever). In November 2002, the FDA approved the use of this and the other products in the Claritin line, at their original prescription strengths, as OTC medications. As previously announced, Andrx responded to this development by entering into an agreement with Perrigo, the nation's largest provider of store brand over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, for Perrigo to market Andrx's bioequivalent versions of Claritin products (Claritin-D 24, and when approved, Claritin-D(R) 12 and Claritin Reditabs(R)) as OTC products.