Watson Pharmaceuticals Receives FDA Approval For Fruit And Cinnamon Flavored Coated Nicotine Gums

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Also Included In: Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 09 Jul 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI), a leader in generic and specialty branded pharmaceuticals, today announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration to market its over-the-counter Nicotine Polacrilex Gum USP, 2 mg and 4 mg strengths in the coated fruit and cinnamon flavors.

Nicotine Polacrilex Gum coated fruit and cinnamon flavors are the generic equivalent of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare's Nicorette Fruit Chill(R) and Cinnamon Surge(TM) Coated gums, which are used as an aid to smoking cessation. The market for over-the-counter nicotine gum had annual sales of over $305 million for the twelve months ending March 2009, according to IRI sales data. Watson will make the products available to customers immediately.

About Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a global leader in the development and distribution of pharmaceuticals with a broad portfolio of generic products and a specialized portfolio of brand pharmaceuticals focused on Urology, Women's Health and Nephrology/Medical.

Forward-Looking Statement

Any statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Watson's current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of this release. Except as expressly required by law, Watson disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from Watson's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Watson's business. These factors include, among others, the impact of competitive products and pricing; market acceptance of and continued demand for Watson's products; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of FDA or other regulatory agency approvals or actions, if any; patents and other intellectual property rights held by third parties; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Watson's periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Watson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Nicorette Fruit Chill(R) is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, L.P. Nicorette Cinnamon Surge(TM) is a trademark of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, L.P.

Source: Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc