PL Developments to sell, distribute store-brand generic Zegerid OTC

WESTBURY, N.Y. — PL Developments on Monday announced that it has acquired the exclusive rights to sell and distribute store-brand over-the-counter versions of omeprazole sodium bicarbonate capsules, the generic version of Merck’s Zegerid OTC.

Par Pharmaceutical currently has approval for the prescription product and has filed for the OTC version. Upon FDA approval and upon favorable resolution of intellectual property litigation, PL Developments will begin marketing the new store-brand proton-pump inhibitor, the company stated.

Merck received approval for the Rx-to-OTC switch of this drug in late 2009 and launched it in March 2010. As a prescription, Zegerid had annual sales of approximately $218 million in 2009. Zegerid OTC is forecasted to reach sales of $100 million by 2012, according to data provided by IMS Health, PL Developments reported.

Store-brand sales within the gastrointestinal category grew 11.9%, outpacing national brand growth by 8.7%, PL Developments added, citing SymphonyIRI Group data for the 52 weeks ended in January.