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Topic: Imigran to go OTC in the UK (Read 398 times) |
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LeLimey
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #1 on: May 20th, 2006, 2:45pm » |
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Its a load of bollocks.. I don't mean it's not true.. it is  But who in their tiny mind thought this one up and how much of a backhander did they get??
I know it's aimed more at people with migraines, its only the 50mg tablets that will be on sale.. but even so.
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Jimi
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #2 on: May 20th, 2006, 2:56pm » |
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Well now isn't that strange. Here my insurance company has been saying they will only give 12 pills a month because any more than that is dangerous. Now you will be able to buy and use all you want. When we all know that they were just expensive and the insurance companies just didn't want to pay for any more than that. Grrrrrrrr.
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Redd
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #3 on: May 20th, 2006, 3:04pm » |
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Curious...
If it's going OTC, then wouldn't that also mean that the patent is up, and other Pharm co's could develope a generic form to make it cheaper?
Things that make you say Hmmmm?
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Lizzie2
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #4 on: May 20th, 2006, 3:18pm » |
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on May 20th, 2006, 3:04pm, Redd715 wrote:Curious...
If it's going OTC, then wouldn't that also mean that the patent is up, and other Pharm co's could develope a generic form to make it cheaper?
Things that make you say Hmmmm? |
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Bingo. That's most definitely part of it.
But I'm still seeing red. GSK's market price goes up at the jeopardy of patient safety. This is WRONG. 
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LeLimey
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #5 on: May 20th, 2006, 5:14pm » |
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It is only the 50mg pills that are going OTC. Not the 100mg pills, the nasal sprays or the injections.. just thought I should clarify that (Although why I feel I should play fair when they aren't is beyond me )
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Lizzie2
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #6 on: May 20th, 2006, 5:21pm » |
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Yeah I understand that, but to me it doesn't matter. 50mg is dangerous for some people....people who won't realize it is dangerous and will go out and buy that without a script!
And you could always take 2 and have it equal 100mg. Plus people do a wide variety of things with OTC medications to make them usable in the way they want....but I won't go there!
I still worry about this... I have basilar migraine and a history of having 2 clots. Imitrex is pretty potent stuff. If I were to go buy it OTC to take without realizing what that could do to me, I could be very f'd up!
Is Glaxo going to take responsibility for that? Or is some poor A&E doc that got the patient mid-stroke or heart attack?
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purpleydog
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #7 on: May 20th, 2006, 8:08pm » |
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on May 20th, 2006, 2:56pm, Jimi wrote:| Well now isn't that strange. Here my insurance company has been saying they will only give 12 pills a month because any more than that is dangerous. Now you will be able to buy and use all you want. When we all know that they were just expensive and the insurance companies just didn't want to pay for any more than that. Grrrrrrrr. |
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Jimi, that's a line of bullshit your insurance company tells you so they don't have to pay for it. My insurance tried to tell me the same thing, and I told them they are full of shit. They limited me to 9 pills, or 6 nasal sprays, or 4 injections (2 stat dose cartridges) per month. Funny thing is, they don't limit me on how many vials I can get, and I get up to 30 per month sometimes. One script for a box of 5 vials with 5 refills.
Interesting, isn't it?
BTW, I have asked this before, and I can't remember the answer... does anyone know when the patent is up on Imitrex? Drug patents are good for 17 years, and this covers the R&D stage, so someone doesn't steal the formula while they are working on it.
I'm sure they will find a way to change something about it slightly, to get ANOTHER patent, such as selling it in smaller stat doses for example, so they can keep the price jacked up on it. Bastards!
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nani
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #8 on: May 20th, 2006, 8:46pm » |
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on May 20th, 2006, 8:08pm, purpleydog wrote:
I'm sure they will find a way to change something about it slightly, to get ANOTHER patent, such as selling it in smaller stat doses for example, so they can keep the price jacked up on it. Bastards! |
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They've already introduced a 4mg statdose, and this is from the May issue of the newsletter:
Trexima
Trexima is being developed as a combination of sumatriptan (Imitrex) and naproxen sodium (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSAID) in a single tablet. This is a joint venture between Glaxo and Pozen.
In a Phase II double-blind placebo-controlled study treating 972 patients with an acute migraine, Pozen reported that a version of the combination of a triptan and an NSAID provided a faster onset and longer duration of pain relief compared to the triptan alone or placebo. In the study, 65% of the patients taking the combination achieved pain relief at two hours versus 49% taking a triptan alone or 27% taking placebo.
Assuming a typical FDA review cycle, approval is anticipated mid 2006.
Glaxo and Pozen will continue to investigate the clinical utility of additional formulations such as injection and nasal spray.
HINT: Imitrex users may want to take an over-the-counter Aleve (naproxen sodium) tablet with their Imitrex (sumatriptan).
See: http://www.pozen.com/product/trexima.asp
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Kevin_M
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #9 on: May 20th, 2006, 8:49pm » |
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on May 20th, 2006, 8:08pm, purpleydog wrote:| does anyone know when the patent is up on Imitrex? Drug patents are good for 17 years, and this covers the R&D stage, so someone doesn't steal the formula while they are working on it. |
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From Lizzie2's article:
"Sumatriptan has been available in the UK since 1991 on prescription and the safety profile is well established."
It appears they are preparing for it's expiration very soon.
* good hint Nani
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| « Last Edit: May 20th, 2006, 8:53pm by Kevin_M » |
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Ueli
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #10 on: May 20th, 2006, 9:03pm » |
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The patent of Sumatriptan ran out 4 days ago (May 17th). In Germany there is for already 2 month a generic, Sumatriptan-ratiopharm®, available.
This holds only for tablets. the injections and nasal spray got additional patent time.
BTW, about a year ago GSK tried, obviously in vain, to get an extension by mixing the tablets with an effervescent powder to speed up resorption.
By July, in Germany there will be OTC Naratriptan (2.5 mg). They say the high cost will keep overuse in limits, LOL.
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BikerBob
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #11 on: May 20th, 2006, 9:16pm » |
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on May 20th, 2006, 8:46pm, nani wrote:
They've already introduced a 4mg statdose, and this is from the May issue of the newsletter:
Trexima
Trexima is being developed as a combination of sumatriptan (Imitrex) and naproxen sodium (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSAID) in a single tablet. This is a joint venture between Glaxo and Pozen.
In a Phase II double-blind placebo-controlled study treating 972 patients with an acute migraine, Pozen reported that a version of the combination of a triptan and an NSAID provided a faster onset and longer duration of pain relief compared to the triptan alone or placebo. In the study, 65% of the patients taking the combination achieved pain relief at two hours versus 49% taking a triptan alone or 27% taking placebo.
Assuming a typical FDA review cycle, approval is anticipated mid 2006.
Glaxo and Pozen will continue to investigate the clinical utility of additional formulations such as injection and nasal spray.
HINT: Imitrex users may want to take an over-the-counter Aleve (naproxen sodium) tablet with their Imitrex (sumatriptan).
See: http://www.pozen.com/product/trexima.asp
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on May 20th, 2006, 8:49pm, Kevin_M wrote:
Hmmmmm... Who's hint was that?
BB 
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Kevin_M
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #12 on: May 20th, 2006, 9:52pm » |
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Teri Robert at About.com lists triptan U.S. approval (not patent) dates like this:
Below a list of the triptans to date along with when they were approved in the United States by the FDA. Some of them were available in European countries before they became available in the U.S.
December 28, 1992: sumatriptan (Imitrex®, Imigran®) injections
June 1, 1995: sumatriptan (Imitrex®, Imigran®) tablets
November 25, 1997: zolmitriptan (Zomig®) tablets
August 26, 1997: sumatriptan (Imitrex®, Imigran®) nasal spray
February 10, 1998: naratriptan (Amerge®, Naramig®) tablets
June 29, 1998: rizatriptan (Maxalt®) tablets and rizatriptan orally dissolvable (Maxalt-MLT®) tablets
February 13, 2001: zolmitriptan orally dissolvable (Zomig-ZMT®) tablets
May 7, 2001: almotriptan (Axert®) tablets
November 8, 2001: frovatriptan (Frova®) tablets
December 27, 2002: eletriptan (Relpax®) tablets
on May 20th, 2006, 9:16pm, BikerBob wrote:Hmmmmm... Who's hint was that?
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Yep, read that before here Bob couldn't remember where. Things don't usually sink in for me until I read it a couple times. 
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| « Last Edit: May 20th, 2006, 10:22pm by Kevin_M » |
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Jimi
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #13 on: May 20th, 2006, 10:20pm » |
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Of course the other side of the coin is that those of us that have insurance where we only have to pay $15 or $30 will now have to pay the high price of OTC triptans.
I remember years ago when I was chewing Nicorette gum, I was only having to pay $10 co-pay for the script. When they went OTC and you didn't need a script, the price was $55 on the shelf. When generics was finally allowed the price went down some but it was cheaper for me when I had to get a prescription.
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Paul98
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #14 on: May 20th, 2006, 10:24pm » |
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I knew the patant was expiring soon. Couldn't be soon enough for me.
The OTC is just dumb. How long will it be before some bone head figures it is harmless because it is OTC, has a heart attack and sues the company. I can just see it being yanked from production because the liability it to great. It would screw a LOT of hurtin' people.
-P.
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Kevin_M
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #15 on: May 20th, 2006, 10:34pm » |
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on May 20th, 2006, 10:20pm, Jimi wrote:| I was only having to pay $10 co-pay for the script. When they went OTC and you didn't need a script, the price was $55 on the shelf. When generics was finally allowed the price went down some but it was cheaper for me when I had to get a prescription. |
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That was the drift I was getting too Jimi, which Ueli also brought to mind.
on May 20th, 2006, 9:03pm, Ueli wrote:| By July, in Germany there will be OTC Naratriptan (2.5 mg). They say the high cost will keep overuse in limits, LOL. |
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AND... don't like the thought. Previous posts about expiration, costs, and precautions are sinking in now.
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| « Last Edit: May 20th, 2006, 11:32pm by Kevin_M » |
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unsolved1
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #16 on: May 20th, 2006, 10:40pm » |
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I think it's a stupid idea too. Some people are going to get hurt doing this. Does this mean that injections will be OTC in the future too? 
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Kevin_M
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #17 on: May 20th, 2006, 10:54pm » |
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Suppose I have clusters and a Zomig script but it is not enough and so supplement by purchasing OTC Imitrex without appropriate knowledge of this.
Precautions:
Sumatriptan is generally not prescribed under these conditions:
presence or risk factors for coronary artery disease
uncontrolled hypertension
basilar or hemiplegic Migraines
Do NOT take Imitrex within 24 hours of taking any other triptan unless specifically told to do so by your doctor.
Do NOT take Imitrex within 24 hours of taking any ergotamine medication such as DHE or Migranal.
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unsolved1
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #18 on: May 20th, 2006, 11:55pm » |
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Quote:| Do NOT take Imitrex within 24 hours of taking any ergotamine medication such as DHE or Migranal. |
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I know it's not supposed to be a good idea, but I've taken DHE IV infusions within 4 hours of Trex injections on a few different occasions at hospitals. I did have a severe BP problem 1 time. (I took probably 10 injections that day and before I could stop them at the ER, they were giving me DHE. The BP SKYROCKETED and I had to get another injection to get it down ASAP)
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Lizzie2
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #19 on: May 21st, 2006, 4:33am » |
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Maybe we need to start writing public letters....
I haven't heard from a specialist yet who thinks this OTC move is a good thing...even though I've only asked 2 and they both said not a good idea.
As I said before, GSK is trying to increase market price while willing to compromise patient safety and also rip the few precious dollars out of some desparate sufferers' pockets.
Arg...........................
I just feel very sad for those who may mix and match with triptans and will learn about just how potent Imigran is the hard way....
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LeLimey
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #20 on: May 21st, 2006, 4:45am » |
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I should clarify also what OTC means here as far as imigran goes.
It will be available without prescription but sold from BEHIND the counter.. you won't be able to pick it up and take it to the till and I would think that, in line with other drugs, you won't be able to buy more than one pack of two pills at a time. You won't be able to buy it at all without pharmacists approval which means you will be questioned about why you want it and asked if you understand what you can and can't mix it with and also any restrictions on who can use it. We have that with all drugs here, even more common OTC stuff like ibuprofen, the staff selling it HAVE GOT TO warn you of the basics and tell you to always read the instructions.
Whilst that is very good, that is chemists (as we call them) policy and it doesn't and shouldn't absolve pharmaceutical companies of shitty standards.
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SteveY
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #21 on: May 21st, 2006, 5:22am » |
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It's a very un British thing to do.
You can't even buy melatonin here.
Is it anything at all to do with money? Looks like once again we are following the American lead here, i.e corporate money pulls the strings.
Not be long before Tony Blair admits to using viagra and then gets a free holiday villa compliments of pfizer.
Am I been cynical, or is it to really help/ potentialy kill the patient?
PS Blair reckons he's at it 4 times a night, I wouldn't drop down to that level
Steve
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BobG
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #22 on: May 21st, 2006, 1:13pm » |
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on May 21st, 2006, 4:33am, Lizzie2 wrote:As I said before, GSK is trying to increase market price while willing to compromise patient safety and also rip the few precious dollars out of some desparate sufferers' pockets.
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In other words, business as usual.
Capitalism is alive and well in the United Kingdom.
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unsolved1
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #23 on: May 21st, 2006, 1:17pm » |
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Some pore bastard out there is going to think this is some kind of pain pill and they're going to take a few, then a few more, and maybe even a couple more. 
Then what's going to happen to him?
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Charlie
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Re: Imigran to go OTC in the UK
« Reply #24 on: May 21st, 2006, 3:53pm » |
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Quote:| If it's going OTC, then wouldn't that also mean that the patent is up, and other Pharm co's could develope a generic form to make it cheaper? |
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Ueli too.
All they do here is change, add or repackage stuff to keep their drug out of reach. I guess it doesn't always work...... so far.
It's moot now but things that I need like Lamictol are not on my criminal HMO's formulary. Nice. It's okay to have seizures and break a leg falling down a flight of stairs but not okay to prevent it. 
Charlie
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| « Last Edit: May 21st, 2006, 3:58pm by Charlie » |
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