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Biotech / Medical : Monsanto Co. -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: SteveR who wrote (2309)	7/20/1999 3:02:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Respond to of 2539

Monsanto says Celebrex top U.S. drug launch ever biz.yahoo.com Searle's news release: Celebrex at Six Months: Setting a New Standard For Pharmaceutical Success PR Wire July 20, 1999, 11:17 a.m. ET CHICAGO, July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- In just six months on the market, arthritis medication Celebrex(TM) (celecoxib capsules), co-promoted by Searle and Pfizer Inc, has set new industry records -- in total prescription volume, refills and cumulative days of patient use. The most successful U.S. pharmaceutical product introduction in history, Celebrex has also experienced the quickest uptake of any prescription drug. Since Celebrex became available in pharmacies in January, the product has generated more than 7.4 million prescriptions, becoming the most-prescribed branded arthritis prescription medication in the U.S. and advancing Searle to the global leadership position in the arthritis market. Through May, a total of 184,000 physicians have prescribed Celebrex for their patients.(1) To date, Celebrex has garnered more than 200 million days of patient use, the number of cumulative days of patient therapy. At six months, Celebrex has the highest number of prescription refills ever achieved by any U.S. pharmaceutical product. Comparing Celebrex to the next three best-selling anti-arthritic products at six months after launch, Celebrex outperforms the refill rate of those products by at least 26 percent. A strong indication of patient satisfaction with a product is the rate of refill. Approximately 88 percent of patients enrolled in Medicaid nationwide now have unrestricted access to Celebrex. To date, 42 state Medicaid agencies have placed Celebrex on their formularies. The most common side effects of Celebrex were dyspepsia, diarrhea and abdominal pain, which were generally mild to moderate. Patients who have a known allergic reaction to celecoxib, sulfonamides, aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should not use Celebrex. As with all NSAIDs, serious gastrointestinal toxicity can occur with or without warning symptoms. Searle, the pharmaceutical sector of Monsanto Company (NYSE: MTC), develops, produces and markets prescription pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company focuses its expertise on five therapeutic areas: arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, sleep, and women's health. Searle, the leading arthritis company worldwide, is the largest provider of branded prescription arthritis medications in the U.S. and is the first company to bring COX-2 technology to this marketplace. For more information on Searle, access searlehealthnet.com. As a life sciences company, Monsanto is committed to finding solutions to the growing global needs for food and health by sharing common forms of science and technology among agriculture, nutrition and health. In 1998, Monsanto reported sales of $8.6 billion and invested approximately $1 billion in research and development. Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) is a research-based, global pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets innovative medicines for humans and animals. In 1998, the company reported revenues of more than $13.5 billion and spent $2.2 billion on research and development. In 1999, Pfizer celebrates its 150th anniversary. For more information on Pfizer, access pfizer.com. For complete prescribing information on Celebrex, access celebrex.com or call toll-free 888-735-3214. 1. Exponent, May 1999. SOURCE Searle and Pfizer Inc -0- 07/20/99 /CONTACT: Claudia Kovitz of Searle, 847-581-6786; or Sharon Arnold of the Chandler Chicco Agency, 212-229-8420, for Searle and Pfizer Inc/