Schering-Plough Clear Passage nasal dilator strips "from the Afrin brand" shipping Aug. 1.

SCHERING AFRIN CLEAR PASSAGE NASAL STRIPS SHIPPING AUG. 1 under a licensing agreement between Schering-Plough and Inglewood, Calif.-based Acutek Adhesive Specialties. Unlike the competing product Breathe Right from CNS, Clear Passage strips appear to be trying, in part, for a narrower niche as an adjunct to other nasal congestion therapies. Schering is positioning Clear Passage nasal strips as providing "drug free instant relief" of the "symptoms of nighttime nasal congestion." Clear Passage strips have a "contoured design for comfort," packaging notes.

The nasal strips are "from the Afrin brand," the box front proclaims. "Clear Passage nasal strips are drug free so they have no drug side effects and are safe to use with other medications to maximize your nasal congestion relief," the package insert says.

The product is available in both men's and women's sizes. The nasal strip is a beige opaque adhesive tape about two inches long, curved slightly, with a rigid piece of plastic running down the middle on the adhesive side of the tape. The rigid plastic piece pulls outward on the tape after application, maintaining a consistent "tug" on the nostrils.

"As well as providing relief from the symptoms of nasal congestion, Clear Passage nasal strips may reduce snoring by enhancing or improving nasal breathing," a package insert says. "Nasal congestion causes some people to breathe through their mouths...resulting in snoring." The strips "make nighttime nasal breathing easier which may eliminate snoring. However, changing mouth breathing habits may take seven to ten days. If after 10 days, snoring has not been relieved, your snoring may be caused by a more serious condition and you should consult your doctor."

The insert also warns readers of the possibility of sleep apnea: "If you are told you have periods of time when you stop breathing while you sleep or fall asleep at the inappropriate times, this abnormal breathing pattern may indicate a condition known as sleep apnea. Other symptoms include excessive sleepiness, irritability, concentration problems, memory lapses and even high blood pressure." Labeling adds sleep apnea "is a serious medical condition requiring accurate diagnosis and proper therapy. If you suspect these problems consult your physician before using this product."

Users are instructed to wash their face before application. To apply, users should center the "rounded `easy fit' arc over the bridge of [the] nose. Position the edges of the strip so they just touch the flare of each nostril," then press the ends down and rub for 10 seconds. Users "should feel the strip gently pull open" the nasal passage to "instantly improve nasal breathing." The product should be removed while showering or washing the face, the insert says.

Competing nasal strip maker CNS announced July 13 it has settled two patent infringement lawsuits that had been brought against the company by Acutek ("The Tan Sheet" Jan. 13, 1997, p. 5). Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. "Both suits will be dismissed" by Los Angeles federal court, the company reported.

CNS "will continue to sell all Breathe Right nasal dilator products currently in the market and plans to enhance the line going forward," the company said. "We have significant patent protection, and will continue to enforce our patents against any would-be competitors."

Retail sales of Breathe Right strips "are matching the sales from last year," the Minneapolis-based marketer said. "Sales of our larger packages, the 30-count and 24-count sizes, are up about 20%, indicating that we continue to build our base of regular users, with a corresponding reduction in 10-count sales."

CNS sales in the second quarter were down 12% to $12 mil. from $13.6 mil. in the year-ago period. Net income was $815,888, down 68.8% from earnings of $2.6 mil. The company grew its "management team" during the quarter and "incurred higher marketing and selling costs, mainly reflecting the introduction of Banish personal smoke deodorizer in a number of markets," CNS noted. Product development costs also rose, "reflecting a number of potential new products in the development stage this year," the company added.