Wockhardt introduces anti-allergic pills in US

New Delhi, Jan 1 (UNI) Drug maker Wockhardt Ltd today said it has launched its Cetirizine tablets used for treating various forms of allergy in the United States which is having 1.4 billion dollar market for the pills.

The Mumbai-based firm received the ANDA from the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for marketing the tablets containing 5 mg and 10 mg Cetirizine Hydrochloride, a statement said.

''Wockhardt is amongst the first companies to get the US FDA approval for this product as soon as the patent expired. Wockhardt US Inc has entered into a strategic marketing alliance with Leiner Health Products to market this product in the private label OTC markets,'' said the company's Chairman Habil Khorakiwala.

Cetirizine is the generic name for the brand Zyrtec, sold in the US by Pfizer. Recently the product has been switched from 'Prescription Only' to OTC status.

This product will be marketed in addition to the 56 products that Wockhardt already markets in the US generic pharmaceutical market, it added.

UNI SBA BJR HT1925