IMS HEALTH Reports 4,797 Prescriptions Dispensed in U.S. For Vioxx in First 10 Days of Prescription Activity
Compares to 3,231 for Searle's Celebrex over same period
Updated 3:44 PM ET June 8, 1999
LONDON (BW HealthWire) -
IMS HEALTH (NYSE:RX)
today reported that 4,797
prescriptions were dispensed in
the U.S. for Vioxx, Merck & Co.
Inc.'s Cox-2 inhibitor, in the first ten days of prescription activity.
Vioxx was approved by the FDA May 20 for relief of the signs
and symptoms of osteoarthritis, management of acute pain in
adults and treatment of menstrual pain. This prescription activity
compares to 3,231 prescriptions dispensed for Celebrex --
Searle's Cox-2 inhibitor, introduced in January 1999 -- over its
first ten days of prescription activity. IMS HEALTH is the
world's leading provider of information solutions to the
pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.
Of the Vioxx prescriptions dispensed for the week ending May
28 -- representing the first four days of prescription activity --
IMS HEALTH's National Prescription Audit Plus(tm) (NPA)
reports that 47 percent of business was generated by Primary
Care Physicians, which include Family Practice, General
Practice, Internal Medicine, and Osteopathic Medicine. More
than 29 percent of Vioxx prescriptions were dispensed by
Rheumatologists during this period.
IMS HEALTH's weekly National Prescription Audit Plus
prescription activity report, covering the Memorial Day week
ending June 4, becomes available on June 14. This report will
capture data from the first full week of Vioxx on the market and
includes mail order prescriptions.
IMS HEALTH's weekly prescription tracking service is the
most complete service of its kind covering the U.S.
pharmaceutical industry. The service provides comprehensive
coverage of three U.S. retail channels -- chain drugstores,
independent pharmacies and food stores with pharmacies -- and
includes cash and Medicaid prescriptions as well as third party
reimbursement. It also provides unique access to mail order
prescriptions.
IMS HEALTH is the world's leading provider of information
solutions to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. With
more than $1.2 billion in 1998 revenue, IMS HEALTH operates
in over 90 countries. IMS HEALTH is the largest
pharmaceutical manufacturer information partner, with over 40
years' experience in the industry. Key products and services
integral to customer day-to-day operations include: market
research for prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical
products; sales management information to optimize sales force
productivity; technology-enabled selling solutions for sales and
marketing decision making; and technology systems and
information services that support managed care organizations.
Additional information and previous press releases are available
at the IMS HEALTH website: imshealth.com.
Contact: IMS HEALTH U.S.: Nancy Duckwitz (610) 834-5338 or U.K.:
Michael Gury +44 171-393-5864
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