Alza Concerta
This article was originally published in Pharmaceutical Approvals Monthly
Executive Summary
>Once-daily methylphenidate receives approval Aug. 1 for pediatric attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Concerta is slated for an August launch, coinciding with the start of the school year, according to Alza and co-marketing partner McNeil Consumer Healthcare. A combined sales force of 520 reps will promote Concerta. The product will be launched at a wholesale acquisition cost of $1.75 per tablet for the 18 mg dose and $1.85 per tablet for the 36 mg dose, which represents a 71¢ to 81¢ discount to the daily cost of Novartis' twice-daily Ritalin-SR