Swissmedic approves Amitiza for opioid-induced constipation

8 July 2014

US biopharma firm Sucampo Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SCMP) has received approval from Swissmedic, Switzerland’s Agency for Therapeutic Products, for Amitiza (lubiprostone) 24mcg for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults with chronic, non-cancer pain.

This is the second indication approved in Switzerland for Amitiza, which is also approved for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). Opioid-based medicines are widely used in the management of chronic pain, with OIC being a common adverse effect of chronic opioid use.

OIC is characterized by infrequent and incomplete evacuation of stool, hard stool consistency, and straining associated with bowel movements. Scientific literature indicates that there are around 98,000 patients in Switzerland each year suffering from chronic non-cancer related pain, of which about 62,000 require treatment for OIC.

This article is accessible to registered users, to continue reading please register for free. A free trial will give you access to exclusive features, interviews, round-ups and commentary from the sharpest minds in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology space for a week. If you are already a registered user please login. If your trial has come to an end, you can subscribe here.

Try before you buy

Free

7 day trial access

Take a Free Trial

All the news that moves the needle in pharma and biotech
Exclusive features, podcasts, interviews, data analyses and commentary from our global network of life sciences reporters.
Receive The Pharma Letter daily news bulletin, free forever.

Become a subscriber

£820

Or £77 per month

Subscribe Now

Unfettered access to industry-leading news, commentary and analysis in pharma and biotech.
Updates from clinical trials, conferences, M&A, licensing, financing, regulation, patents & legal, executive appointments, commercial strategy and financial results.
Daily roundup of key events in pharma and biotech.
Monthly in-depth briefings on Boardroom appointments and M&A news.
Choose from a cost-effective annual package or a flexible monthly subscription

The Pharma Letter is an extremely useful and valuable Life Sciences service that brings together a daily update on performance people and products. It’s part of the key information for keeping me informed

Chairman, Sanofi Aventis UK