A pharmaceutical company is planning to buy a US firm into an agreement to manufacture and sell a generic version of Pfizer's heartburn drug Nexium, it has emerged.
Pfizer's global sales of the medication, which treats acid reflux and GERD, have already been slashed by several times by its rival Merck & Co's Nexium, the US drug giant has revealed.
The new deal, announced this week, aims to bolster Pfizer's sales in the US by at least half a million people, making it the largest seller of the drug.
It is also a major step forward in the management of the company's global health portfolio, which includes AstraZeneca, Aurobindo Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Teva.
Pfizer's Nexium has been launched in the US by AstraZeneca, which has been in the US since October 2019, but it is due to become available in the UK next year.
In a statement, the company said: "The agreement will provide Pfizer with the flexibility to produce and sell its own version of Nexium, without the requirement of a generic version from AstraZeneca.
"In terms of marketing, Pfizer has the advantage of having a global presence and will help develop and market the branded product to the US market."
The company said the new agreement would include the purchase of approximately £4 billion (about $14.1 billion) of shares in a group of 40 companies.
Aurobindo Pharma is the largest generic-drug company in the world, with over 10,000 employees in the US, and is headquartered in New York, where it has operations.
Credit: ReutersPfizer shares have fallen 5.9 per cent in the past week, after being down about 7 per cent so far this year.
Shares of the company were up 5.1 per cent this week. It is also up about 6.8 per cent this week in London, while US shares were down 5.7 per cent.
Credit: Getty ImagesThe pharmaceutical company has been under pressure from the US Food and Drug Administration over its prescription-drugs, including the heartburn drug Nexium, which is being used to treat chronic pain.
Pfizer is trying to find a way to sell its Nexium in the US, and the deal will also give the US firm a licence for other countries to sell its version of Nexium as well.
The company said the US firm will produce the full Nexium in the US by the end of the year, but it will have to submit to the FDA in the first week of 2024.
In the US, the pharmaceutical firm is the largest producer of Nexium, with a US market share of around 5 per cent, and the world's second largest in terms of the number of US Nexium sales, followed by the United Kingdom, Germany and China.
Pfizer also is developing a generic version of the heartburn drug, which it hopes to launch next year.
The US firm has also been looking for a source of generic drug patents for several years, to bolster its market position.
In the past decade, Pfizer has had a worldwide presence of more than 10,000 people, with sales of more than 10 million US dollars being reported in the US alone.
However, that figure has fallen over the past year and the US firm is now the biggest in the world, with a total of over 11,000 sales in the US.
In a statement, the company said: "Pfizer's global portfolio of prescription medicines is expected to remain strong in the coming years, and the new deal with AstraZeneca will strengthen the company's position in the market for branded drugs."
A spokesman for the company's head, Patrick Smith, said: "The US firm is engaged in the development and commercialisation of a wide range of prescription drugs including Nexium, which is the branded product. The US firm is pursuing its own product and marketing strategy to achieve a competitive market with a strong presence in the global market."
Pfizer is set to have another manufacturing partner in the US, and it is also working with other pharmaceutical companies to develop a generic version of the heartburn drug Nexium.
Prices for Nexium and its generic equivalent among other gastric and antacid items are:
Nexium is a brand name for esomeprazole, also known as NEXIUM. This generic drug is produced by GlaxoSmithKline under the brand name Nexium. It is widely available in both tablet and capsule form. Tablets are meant to be taken orally, while capsules are commonly prescribed for intramuscular injections, or injection therapy. NEXIUM is taken by mouth, with or without food.
Generic NEXIUM is also available as NEXIUM/OESC 100 (pre-prepared oral capsule), and NEXIUM/OESC (pre- prepared oral capsule).
The following are some examples of some side effects of Nexium/OESC and Nexium/OESC 100/OESC side effects:
NONEXIUM may cause QT prolongation (see Heart Rate and Pregnancy).Considerations:
PREpared Oral Capsule contains esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor. It works by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach, thereby promoting the production of proton pumps, such as H1 and H2 enzymes. The Esomeprazole Prescribing Information is designed to provide a general guideline for administering orally to patients and is formulated with esomeprazole as the active ingredient. It is crucial to follow the prescribed dosage and duration of treatment as esomeprazole is known to inhibit proton pumps. Precautions and Side Effects
PREpared Oral Capsule should not be taken more than once in 24 hours. Do not chew or crush the medication. Swallow it as a whole without crushing or chewing.
NOTE: (1) If you have any questions about the Prescribing Information, please reach out to the Patient Information Leaflets (PIL) at or reach out to GlaxoSmithKline, Pte Ltd., for their prescribing information. If you have further questions related to the Prescribing Information, please reach out to GlaxoSmithKline, Pte Ltd., for their prescribing information.
Some side effects of Nexium/OESC and Nexium/OESC 100/OESC side effects can behead you, including vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach pain.
Alternate Name:Pharmapure RX Esomep-EZS
Description:Nexium treats gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophagitis, and stomach ulcers. The generic version of Nexium is esomeprazole magnesium. For a supply of 30 oral tablets of Nexium Delayed-Release Capsules 40 mg is approximately $287. Take advantage of our LowerMyRx discount to receive a typical Nexium discount of up to 80% off of the retail price at participating pharmacies near you.
Dosage Form:Capsule Delayed Release
Administration Route:By mouth
Drug Class:Gastric Acid Secretion Inhibitor, Gastrointestinal Agent
Generic Available:Yes
Strength:20 MG
Warnings:Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lupus, vitamin B12 deficiency, or osteoporosis. This medicine may cause the following problems: Kidney problems, including acute tubulointerstitial nephritisIncreased risk of broken bones in the hip, wrist, or spine (more likely if used several times per day or longer than 1 year)Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)LupusFundic gland polyps (abnormal growth in the upper part of your stomach) This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine. Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results. Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments. Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone. Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, bloody or black stools
Food Warnings:Do not use esomeprazole if you are also using medicines that contain rilpivirine., Some medicines can affect how esomeprazole works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following: Atazanavir, cilostazol, diazepam, digoxin, erlotinib, ketoconazole, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, nelfinavir, rifampin, saquinavir, St John's wort, tacrolimus, voriconazoleBlood thinner (including clopidogrel or warfarin)Diuretic (water pill)Iron supplements, This medicine can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine., Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results., Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments., Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
You should know how to use nexium before you take a dose. Read the label. Fill out theRx Information Formor call 1-800-222-1222. Always follow the directions for use. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for help if you can: Call 1-800-567-2576 before taking any new medication. Take all of the pills with water. Do not use more than 2 times a day. Zantac may also cause diarrhea. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor.diarrhea syndrome call your doctor if you have: Severe diarrhea, bloody or black stools, fever, unusual skin rash, hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.Gastro-resistant Nexium 24HR tablets contain esomeprazole, an antacid that belongs to a class of drugs called ‘proton pump inhibitors.’ Nexium 24HR is used to treat reflux, heartburn, and acid reflux in adults and children over 12.
Nexium 24HR tablets are film-coated and come in 24-hour strengths.
Adults and children aged 12 years and over: Take one tablet every 24 hours based on your doctor’s prescription.
Each esomeprazole magnesiumchloropropiacium oxide(1% w/w)Active ingredient
Tell your doctor if your pregnant or breast-feeding infant:::
Nexium 24HR should not be given to pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Nexium 24HR should only be used in breast-fed infants.
Always read the label. If you get stomach upset while taking Nexium 24HR take only if the symptoms do not improve after 3 days of treatment.
If you develop symptoms of a serious condition such as a broken bone, have an eye pain, or have blood or kidney problems, consult your doctor. Do not use this medicine during a viral infection such as the appearance of European conjunctivitis o' atracticitcherost for no apparent reason.
Common side effects may include diarrhoea, upset stomach, loss of appetite, or stomach pain. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor promptly.
Less common side effects may include back pain, headache, muscle aches, flushing of the skin, or joint pain. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following side effects: difficulty in breathing, severe dizziness, or a rash.
Each esomeprazole magnesiumchloropropia calcium oxide (25 mg) contains esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor.
Stade de France Pharmacy