report date: 22/10/2001 as reported from opticiansnet.com

Pharmacia Corporation's new combination glaucoma drug, Xalacom, has obtained regulatory approval for marketing in the European Union.

Clinical trials of the eye drop, which combines the prostaglandin-analog latanoprost with the more commonly prescribed beta blocker, timolol, have shown that it lowers intraocular pressure far better than either drug if used alone.

Member states of the European Union grant mutual regulatory approval of a drug if it first obtains approval in another of the member countries.

Union member Sweden were the first to take the step of approving the new drug.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration are at the moment, reviewing Pharmacia's new drug application for Xalcom. The drug, taken once daily, is designed for patients with glaucoma or ocula hypertension whose current treatment regime fails to control the intraocular pressure.

     # 22/10/2001