Anyone catch this release? It was extremely LIFTING!!!!!
At around $3.00 a share, it looks like it could move!
Muse is Number One Impotence Treatment in Canada; Becomes Market Leader in Less Than Six Weeks
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and TORONTO, Ontario--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 15, 1998--Canada's newest approved treatment for erectile dysfunction, MUSE(R) (alprostadil), has captured 73.4 per cent of all new prescriptions written in that category by family physicians, according to data from IMS, a company that monitors prescription sales in the pharmaceutical industry. It has taken the drug less than six weeks to become the Canadian market leader.
"It's safe and patients are happy with the results," said Dr. Dominic Li, a family physician in Toronto and a Diplomat on the American Board of Internal Medicine. "I think other physicians are embracing it as a treatment option for the same reasons. It's also more pleasant to use compared to other treatments on the Canadian market."
The treatment market for erectile dysfunction (ED) in Canada has grown significantly since the approval of MUSE. Overall prescriptions written in the category have increased by 60 per cent since the drug's availability, primarily as a result of GPs entering the treatment arena. More than 10,000 prescriptions have already been written for MUSE. MUSE has been popular with urologists, capturing 61.2 percent of new prescriptions written, and surging ahead of all other treatments.
"There's no doubt, the single best benefit of MUSE is that it does not increase cardiovascular risk for patients," said Dr. Christian Fortin, a cardiologist from St. Lambert, Quebec. Safety continues to be one of the key issues in ED treatments, and in particular for those physicians who have patients on certain heart medications or are at other cardiac risk.
"Patients in my practice say that safety and effectiveness are the key criteria in choosing a treatment for erectile dysfunction," said Dr. Michael Stephensen, a family physician from Winnipeg, Manitoba. "MUSE meets these requirements nicely, so its recent popularity is not surprising."
"It's clear that Canadian men and their doctors were waiting for another treatment option," said Dr. Blake Wright, a family physician located in Vancouver, British Columbia. "Many of my patients refused to try other treatments before MUSE, or were dissatisfied with treatment options. In fact, many have since switched to MUSE and been very pleased with the results."
The impressive sales start for MUSE is supported by two recent endorsements for its use. Both the Canadian Male Sexual Health Council and the Association de Medicine Sexuelle du Quebec (AMSQ), have recommended MUSE as one of the first-line treatments for erectile dysfunction.
"The endorsements are certainly important," said Dr. Michel Cote, a general practitioner from St-Henry Levis, Quebec, "but a product has to stand on its own with patients and prescribers. MUSE does this and that's why it has become the top treatment."
MUSE is marketed in Canada by Janssen-Ortho Inc., a research-based pharmaceutical company in Toronto with a broad range of pharmaceuticals used in infectious disease, psychiatry, neurology, gastroenterology, oncology, nephrology, women's health and avoidance of blood transfusions.
MUSE was developed by VIVUS, Inc. Founded in 1991, VIVUS, Inc. is a leader in the development of advanced therapeutic systems for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, commonly referred to as impotence. VIVUS has pioneered a novel therapy for erectile dysfunction known as MUSE(R) (alprostadil). This therapy consists of a proprietary, non-invasive drug delivery system that delivers pharmacological agents via the urethra. MUSE is applied into the urinary opening, and is not for men with sickle cell trait, disease, or other blood disorders. One third of men reported genital pain, causing some to stop use. A few men reported dizziness and, less commonly, fainting.
Note to editors and investors: Additional written materials, recent releases and Company information are available through a variety of sources, including the VIVUS home page (www.vivus.com) and the VIVUS Fax-On-Demand Service (1-888-329-5719).
For Further Information, or to Interview Dr. Stephensen or Dr. Li Please Contact:
Jill McKinlay/Carmen Nisbet/Kerry Lismore Sherry McCrea/Jordan Berman Veritas Communications Inc. (416) 482-2248
Walter Masanic Janssen-Ortho Inc. (416) 449-9444
The Following Physicians are Also Available for Comment:
Dr. Errol Billinkoff Winnipeg, Manitoba (204) 338-3700
Dr. Paul Smyth Fredericton, New Brunswick (506) 450-8887
Dr. Richard Ward Calgary, Alberta (403) 239-9733
All trademark rights used under license.
CONTACT:
VIVUS
Nina W. Ferrari, 650/934-5200 (Director, Corp. Comm.)
IR@VIVUS.COM
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
BW1051 DEC 15,1998
4:47 PACIFIC
07:47 EASTERN |
