Santarus has initiated shipments of Zegerid (omeprazole) powder for oral suspension 40mg to pharmaceutical wholesalers that distribute to retail pharmacies, hospitals and other institutional customers.
This product is now being promoted by the Santarus and the Otsuka America Pharmaceutical sales forces that together number approximately 400 sales representatives and call on the highest prescribers of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
Zegerid powder for oral suspension 40mg is a unique immediate-release formulation of omeprazole that rapidly reaches peak plasma levels and provides strong acid control, with a median 24-hour intragastric pH of greater than four for 18.6 hours after repeated once-daily dosing.
The product was approved by the FDA in late December 2004 and is the only PPI approved to reduce the risk of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in critically ill patients. Santarus previously launched Zegerid powder for oral suspension 20mg in October 2004.
“Zegerid 40 mg represents an important enhancement to our product portfolio, as the vast majority of PPI prescriptions are written for the highest dose strength available, typically 30mg or 40mg,” said Gerald Proehl, president and CEO of Santarus.
“Moreover, as the only PPI approved for use in critically ill patients, Zegerid 40mg opens an additional market opportunity for Santarus and offers an important new product for use in this critically ill patient population.”
An advertising and promotional campaign supporting the product launch will include journal advertising, web-based initiatives and product sampling.