Wockhardt launches prostate drug Flomax in the US

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology major Wockhardt launched Tamsulosin (the generic equivalent of patented drug Flomax) on Day-1 of the expiry of patent and genericisation.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) had earlier given tentative approval for Wockhardt's Tamsulosin, which is used for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or non-cancerous enlargement of prostate).

Flomax is marketed in the US by Boehringer Ingelheim and the patent on this product expired on 27 April 2010. Wockhardt USA launched the product immediately, upon approval, the company said.

 "Launching new products on the day of patent expiration is a critical factor for success in the US generic market and Wockhardt has been consistently striving to achieve this", said Wockhardt chairman Habil Khorakiwala. "Wockhardt has already entered into supply contracts with several customers in the US for this product. Products involving drug delivery technology, like `Tamsulosin' capsules, remain a focus area for Wockhardt," he added.

The potential market for Tamsulosin capsules, one of the most used drugs to treat BPH in the US, is about $1,650 million, according to IMS data.

Prostate enlargement is a common condition afflicting many men above a certain age and with the growing population of the elderly in the US, the demand will continue to increase, the release said.

Wockhardt has been consistently growing market shares for all its products in the US generic pharmaceutical market. 

The Tamsulosin capsules are manufactured at the US FDA certified formulation plant at Chikalthana, Aurangabad and it will use API, which is also being manufactured by Wockhardt in its FDA approved plant. Both the API and the capsules were developed in-house.