CARDIZEM CD FOR ANGINA

Marion Merrell Dow has received an approvable letter from the US Food and Drug Administration giving the company preliminary approval to market its once-daily calcium channel blocker Cardizem CD (diltiazem HCl) for the treatment of angina. The letter essentially clears the way for the introduction of the product in the USA, pending the agency's approval of final labelling information.

Cardizem CD was first launched in the USA in December 1991 for the treatment of hypertension. The Cardizem range, which also includes Cardizem tablets and Cardizem SR, is one of the largest selling cardiovascular brands in North America, and accounted for more than $900 million in sales in 1991.

Marion Merrell Dow has also introduced a new formulation of Cardizem CD for hypertension. The new 120mg dosage will enable hypertensive patients, who are currently maintained on two low-dose Cardizem SR tablets a day, to switch to the once-daily and cheaper Cardizem CD version.