PEPCID AVAILABLE OTC IN THE UK

Centra Healthcare has launched an over-the-counter formulation of the H2 antagonist famotidine in the UK, under the trade name Pepcid AC. The product is licensed for the short-term relief of heartburn, dyspepsia and excess acid. Famotidine has been available on prescription since 1987 in the UK, for treating peptic ulcer and related diseases.

Heartburn and dyspepsia are believed to affect around nine million people in the UK each year. H2 antagonists are seen as premium products which will offer increased efficacy and tolerability over existing drugs such as antacids, which offer only short-lived relief and can induce rebound acid production, or alginates, which have a high sodium content and are unsuitable for some patients.

Other H2 antagonist manufacturers are also planning to switch their products; SmithKline Beecham was given the go-ahead to supply OTC cimetidine in January, while Glaxo is aiming for a switch within the next two years for its ranitidine product.