UK drug update - October 2004

Bio Products Laboratory is marketing Subgam. The human normal immuno-globulin product contains 140-180mg/ml human protein, of which at least 95% is immunoglobulin G.

Pfizer has introduced Lyrica containing 25, 75, 150 or 300mg of the antiepileptic pregabalin. The company has also launched Vfend, a 40mg/mL powder for oral suspension containing the azole antifungal voriconazole.

Alpharma has brought out 5, 10 and 20mg tablets of the ACE inhibitor quinapril; 5 and 10mg tablets of the class II calcium antagonist amlodipine; 250µg and 1mg tablets of the dopamine agonist pergolide; 30mg tablets of the noradrenergic/serotonergic enhancer mirtazapine; and 10, 20 and 40mg tablets of the statin pravastatin sodium.

Amgen has introduced Aranesp. The prefilled syringes contain 500µg/mL of the recombinant human erythropoietin darbepoetin alpha.

APS/Numark has produced 10, 20 and 40mg dual-branded tablets of the statin simvastatin and 2.5mg dual-branded tablets of the thiazide ben-drofluazide. The tablets are available to Numark members.

Galderma has brought out a 50g pack of Calmurid HC, which contains 1% of the steroid hydrocortisone, 10% of the hydrating agent urea and 5% of the keratolytic agent lactic acid.

Yamanouchi Pharma has marketed Vesicare film-coated tablets containing 5 or 10mg of the urinary antispasmodic solifenacin succinate.

Chemidex has launched Lyflex, a 5mg/5mL sugar-free oral solution containing GABA derivative baclofen.

Sandoz has introduced 10, 20 and 40mg tablets of the statin pravastatin.

Ivax has marketed 30mg tablets of the noradrenergic/serotonergic enhancer mirtazapine and 10, 20 and 40mg tablets of pravastatin sodium.