Abbott launches Sucampo's Amitiza in Japan

US drugmaker Sucampo Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SCMP), and marketing partner health care major Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) have announced the availability of Amitiza (lubiprostone) in Japan, a prescription drug for the treatment of chronic constipation not caused by organic diseases. The drug was approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) in Japan this summer (The Pharma Letter July 6).

“Millions of patients in Japan have been suffering from chronic constipation, without efficacious and well-tolerated, long-term treatment options. We are pleased to bring Amitiza’s experience of six years and over six million prescriptions in the United States to the Japanese market, to benefit the healthcare providers and patients who need it,” says Ryuji Ueno, Sucampo’s chairman and chief executive.

“Chronic constipation is a medical condition affecting several million people in Japan and is one of the most common digestive condition complaints. Health care providers will now have a prescription option to help treat this condition more effectively and longer term, compared to currently approved over-the-counter medications,” says Akihiko Honda, general manager, Abbott Japan.