New Instantly Dissolving CLARITIN(R) RediTabs(R) Now Available in Japan

Main Category: Allergy
Article Date: 28 Nov 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) today announced that Schering-Plough K.K., the company's subsidiary in Japan, has introduced CLARITIN(R) (loratadine) RediTabs(R), 10mg Tablet, an instantly dissolving nonsedating antihistamine tablet. CLARITIN RediTabs is available by prescription in Japan for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR), chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), or hives of unknown cause, and itching associated with skin diseases in adults and children 15 years of age and above.

CLARITIN RediTabs, a long-lasting selective H1 receptor antagonist taken once-daily, is the first and only allergy product in Japan designed to orally disintegrate.

"The tablet dissolves instantly on the tongue without water, offering patients a convenient way to get allergy relief," said, Robert J. Spiegel, M.D., chief medical officer and senior vice president, Schering-Plough. "CLARITIN RediTabs now joins the original formulation to provide physicians with more options to help patients properly manage allergy symptoms."

A recently conducted survey of 800 allergy sufferers in Japan found more than 60 percent of patients prefer to take CLARITIN RediTabs.

Allergic rhinitis, commonly referred to as "hay fever," is estimated to affect 15 million people in Japan. The market for prescription antihistamines in Japan is estimated to exceed $1 billion. Urticaria, a reaction to a variety of substances, including food, drugs and topical agents, and characterized by an eruption of itchy, swollen lesions on the skin, affects an estimated 15 to 25 percent of people at least once in their lives. Approximately 25 percent of urticaria patients develop CIU, which is defined as a case that lasts for a period of at least six weeks and has no identifiable cause. More than 40 percent of prescription antihistamine use in Japan can be attributed to CIU and itching associated with skin diseases such as eczema.

CLARITIN was approved by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) in September 2002. The treatment's proven safety and efficacy, without the concern of sedation, has helped make CLARITIN a popularly prescribed antihistamine in Japan.

DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information in this press release includes certain "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including CLARITIN's market potential in Japan and the introduction of new CLARITIN RediTabs. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts of future events and use words such as "can," "estimate" and "will." Actual results may vary from the forward-looking statements, and there are no guarantees about the performance of Schering- Plough stock or Schering-Plough's business. Schering-Plough does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Many factors could cause actual results to differ from Schering-Plough's forward-looking statements. These factors include regulations impacting pricing of pharmaceutical products, matters impacting patents on Schering-Plough products, competitive pressures including the introduction of generic products, and manufacturing issues. For further details about these and other factors that may impact the forward-looking statements, see Schering-Plough's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the 2004 third quarter 10-Q.

Schering-Plough K.K., based in Osaka, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Schering-Plough Corporation, a research-based company engaged in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products worldwide.

Schering-Plough is a global science-based health care company with leading prescription, consumer and animal health products. Through internal research and collaborations with partners, Schering-Plough discovers, develops, manufactures and markets advanced drug therapies to meet important medical needs. Schering-Plough's vision is to earn the trust of the physicians, patients and customers served by its more than 30,000 people around the world. For additional information, visit http://www.schering-plough.com.

SOURCE Schering-Plough Corporation

Media: Mary-Frances Faraji, +1-908-298-7109, or Julie Lux, +1-908-298-4774; or Investor: Janet Barth, or Alex Kelly, +1-908-298-7436, all for Schering-Plough Corporation
http://www.schering-plough.com