Pfizer's Toviaz launches in UK

Global drug giant Pfizer has launched Toviaz (fesoterodine fumarate), a new once daily treatment for the symptoms of overactive bladder, in the UK. OAB is a condition which affects an estimated 4.9 million people in Britain (more than twice the number of people with diabetes) and has been shown to have a serious and detrimental effect on people's emotional, psychological and sexual wellbeing, the company notes.

Fesoterodine is an antimuscarinic drug which works by relaxing the muscles found in the wall of the bladder, decreasing sudden uncontrollable bladder contractions and increasing bladder capacity. In two 12 week-long, international clinical trials, the drug significantly improved the symptoms of OAB compared to placebo, (at least three quarters of patients said their condition improved or greatly improved on the medicine compared with 53% on placebo) and patients taking fesoterodine also showed significant and consistent improvement in health-related quality of life compared to placebo.