Perrigo receives FDA approval for smoking-cessation lozenges

ALLEGAN, Mich. Perrigo on Monday announced that it has received Food and Drug Administration approval for its over-the-counter coated nicotine polacrilex lozenge, 2 mg and 4 mg, in cherry and cinnamon flavors.

The new products will be marketed under store brand labels and are comparable with GlaxoSmithKline’s smoking cessation product Commit  lozenge.

“These two approvals expand our exclusive position in the store brand nicotine lozenge category,” stated Perrigo chairman and CEO Joseph Papa. “The expanded range of smoking cessation products also includes coated mint and Fruit Chill-flavored gum, uncoated gum and lozenges.”

The smoking cessation category is selling at an annual rate estimated at approximately $1 billion at all retail outlets, Perrigo reported.