| NEW YORK, Oct 14 (AP) —
The two hottest new prescription drugs of 1999 appear to be stealing market share from
over-the-counter remedies. Nearly a third of patients taking the new arthritis
drugs, Celebrex and Vioxx, were previously relying on over-the-counter medications or
taking nothing at all for their arthritis pain, according to a study released Wednesday by
the market data firm Rx Remedy Information Services.
Celebrex and Vioxx, both
approved earlier this year, reduce arthritis pain with significantly less risk of stomach
side effects such as ulcers compared to aspirin and other prescription arthritis drugs.
"As expected, and feared
by some sectors of the industry, consumer and physician attraction to the new (arthritis
drugs) appears to be significantly expanding the market for higher cost prescription pain
medications," says Robert J. Enck, Division President of Rx Remedy, based in
Mercerville, N.J.
New prescription drugs
usually gain market share at the expense of other prescription drugs, but Celebrex and
Vioxx, are unusual in also benefiting at the expense of over-the-counter remedies, Enck
said.
The study showed 31 percent
of Celebrex patients and 26 percent of Vioxx patients previously were not taking a
prescription painkiller.
The study did not break out
the proportion of those patients on over-the-counter remedies and those taking nothing for
their pain. But Enck said the study indicates the over-the-counter painkillers are
suffering.
"Clearly they are
drawing new patients into the category," Enck said. "They are definitely taking
away patients ... who were previously using over-the-counter products."
Officials with Johnson &
Johnson, the maker of Tylenol, maintain that Celebrex and Vioxx have not hurt sales this
year. Nevertheless, J&J launched major advertising campaigns this year pitching
Tylenol for arthritis pain.
Celebrex is jointly marketed
by Monsanto Co and Pfizer, Inc., while Vioxx is sold by Merck & Co. Celebrex, which
had a six month head start on the market, maintains a commanding market share lead among
the two products, though Vioxx has closed the gap in recent months among new
prescriptions.
This spring, Celebrex
surpassed the anti-impotence drug Viagra, to become the hottest selling new prescription
drug ever. Celebrex, launched in January, is expected to post more than $1 billion in
sales this year.
Officials from Monsanto's
pharmaceutical division Searle said Celebrex sales have exceeded their projections.
One reason is the hype
surrounding Celebrex has convinced more arthritis sufferers to seek help from their
doctor. A study done by the consulting firm Scott-Levin showed doctor visits for arthritis
increased 18 percent to 4.8 million in the first four months of 1999, just as Celebrex was
being launched.
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