02/25 15:25 IMS HEALTH Reports 164,459 Celebrex Prescriptions Dispensed in Third Week of February
IMS HEALTH Reports 164,459 Celebrex
Prescriptions Dispensed in Third Week of February
LONDON--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 25, 1999--
Mail Order Prescriptions Rise 43 Percent
IMS HEALTH (NYSE:RX) today reported that for the week ending Feb.
19, 164,459 total prescriptions were dispensed for Celebrex in the
U.S. This represents a 30 percent increase in prescriptions dispensed
compared to the previous week. Celebrex is the first in a new class of
drugs called Cox-2 inhibitors, used to treat the symptoms of
rheumatoid arthritis as well as osteoarthritis. IMS HEALTH's regular
weekly prescription activity report covering the week ending Feb. 19
becomes available on Monday, March 1. IMS HEALTH is the world's
leading provider of information solutions to the pharmaceutical and
healthcare industries.
According to IMS HEALTH, Celebrex mail-order prescriptions
totaled 6,664 for the week ending Feb. 19, compared to the 4,724
mail-order prescriptions reported the previous week, an increase of 43
percent.
For the week ending Feb. 12, the majority of physicians
dispensing Celebrex were Primary Care Physicians, who wrote 49.8
percent of Celebrex prescriptions. Orthopedic Surgeons wrote 20,840
Celebrex prescriptions, representing 17 percent of the total
prescriptions written. Rheumatologists wrote 14 percent of
prescriptions for the week, dispensing 16,400 prescriptions.
IMS HEALTH's weekly prescription tracking service provides
comprehensive coverage of three U.S. retail channels -- chain drug
stores, independent pharmacies and food stores with pharmacies -- and
includes cash and Medicaid prescriptions as well as third-party
reimbursement. The service also provides unique access to mail-order
prescriptions, making it the most complete market tracking service
covering the U.S. pharmaceutical industry.
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
IMS HEALTH's web site: imshealth.com.
--30--jd/ny*
CONTACT: Nancy Duckwitz (U.S)
(610) 834-5338
or
Michael Gury (U.K.)
44-171-393-5864
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