Roche sees sales of weight loss drug Xenical dropping in Australia after ad ban |
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Wed, 05 Sep 2007 12:21
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ZURICH (Thomson Financial) - Roche Holdings AG expects sales of its weight loss drug Xenical to fall in Australia after a federal court there banned direct advertising to consumers on concerns the drug was being sold to people who may not need it.'We have lost the ability to advertise using the brand name, which makes it very difficult to promote, so consumers will not ask for it by name in the pharmacies,' a Roche spokeswoman in Australia told Thomson Financial News.The pharmaceuticals group is considering its options in the wake of the court's decision, added the spokeswoman.'We feel we have done all we can and will now be considering the viability of supporting Xenical in the future,' said managing director of Roche Products Fred Nadjarian after the judgement was announced at the end of last month.Xenical is categorised as a Schedule 3 drug, which means it is available without a prescription, but consumers should receive counselling as to its use.sarah.fenwick@thomson.comsf/jmsCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.
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