Ventiv Dermatology Sales Force To Promote Ranbaxy’s Isotretinoin
This article was originally published in The Pink Sheet Daily
Executive Summary
The firms sign multi-year agreement to market Sotret. Ventiv says it has established a specialty dermatology sales force to promote the product.
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Ventiv has established a specialty dermatology sales force to market Ranbaxy's Sotret (isotretinoin), under an agreement announced Oct. 8. The contract sales organization signed a multi-year deal to promote the acne therapy. Sotret (Roche's Accutane ) is indicated for severe recalcitrant nodular acne. Ventiv notes that Sotret is the only isotretinoin brand available as a 30 mg strength capsule. A joint FDA advisory committee in February recommended that isotretinoin sponsors - Roche, Ranbaxy, Mylan/Bertek/Genpharm ( Amnesteem ) and Barr ( Claravis ) - revise their risk management programs for the drug. The committee voted in favor of a single, centralized isotretinoin program with mandatory post-treatment survey (1 (Also see "Accutane/Generics Risk Program Should Include Mandatory Follow-Up Survey" - Pink Sheet, 27 Feb, 2004.)). However, implementation of the revamped isotretinoin risk management plan has been blocked by patents Celgene holds on its Thalomid risk management program (2 (Also see "Accutane Risk Management Program Changes Held Up By Celgene Patents" - Pink Sheet, 13 Jul, 2004.)). Watson ended its contract with Ventiv in August for promotion of Oxytrol (oxybutynin transdermal patch) (3 (Also see "Watson Seeks Co-Promotion Partner For Oxytrol In Primary Care Setting" - Pink Sheet, 3 Aug, 2004.)). - Tericke Blanchard |