Pharmaceutical Business review

Nutra Pharma To Begin Drug Registration Process In South America

Nutra Pharma has reported that it plans to begin the drug registration process in Brazil and Colombia for its over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever. The company is currently marketing a similar drug in the US under the brand name Cobroxin for the treatment of moderate to severe (Stage 2) chronic pain.

Nutra Pharma introduced a similar pain medicine in the US in August under the brand Cobroxin. The drug, which was developed by Nutra Pharma’s wholly-owned drug discovery subsidiary, ReceptoPharm, is currently available as an oral spray for treating lower back pain, migraines, neck aches, shoulder pain, cramps and neuralgia and as a topical gel for treating joint pain and pain associated with repetitive stress and arthritis.

Nutra Pharma its intention to begin drug registration for its pain reliever in Canada and Europe and in Brazil and Colombia for its over-the-counter pain reliever. Given the existing regulatory requirements in these territories, the company expects to complete these registrations in the near-term. The company is currently marketing a similar analgesic, Cobroxin, in the US for the treatment of moderate to severe (Stage 2) chronic pain.

Rik Deitsch, chairman and CEO of Nutra Pharma, said: “We are excited to begin the drug registration process in Brazil and Colombia, as these two countries make up approximately 60% of the population of South America and represent the most important entry-points for launching our pain reliever into the entire South American market.

“While we complete our drug registration in Brazil and Colombia, we plan to continue building our international presence by registering our pain drug in additional countries worldwide.”

Paul Reid, CEO of ReceptoPharm, said: “Beginning the drug registration process in Brazil and Colombia offers us the opportunity to introduce our over-the-counter pain reliever into countries that have significant portions of their populations suffering from chronic pain, but lack sufficient access to opioid-based analgesics.

“We have already begun conversations with potential South American licensees and plan to initiate the drug registration process in both countries as we move into 2010.”