Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

Salix Pharmaceuticals stock rose 5 percent last week despite news that the company received a warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging the company to clarify information about its new orally dissolving heartburn treatment, Metozolv ODT, according to Local Tech Wire. The FDA said that some of the drug’s marketing materials are “false or misleading because they omit and minimize risk information, broaden the indication of Metozolv ODT, and contain unsubstantiated comparative and other claims.”

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has fired off a warning letter to drug maker Salix Pharmaceuticals arguing that some of its marketing materials for Metozolv, an orally dissolving form of metoclopramide for the treatment of acid reflux conditiosn, “are false or misleading because they omit and minimize risk information, broaden the indication of Metozolv ODT, and contain unsubstantiated comparative and other claims.”

The letter goes on to say that “these violations are concerning from a public health perspective because they suggest that Metozolv ODT is safer and more effective than has been demonstrated by substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience, and encourage use in circumstance other than those for which the drug has been shown to be safe and effective.”

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Salix Pharmaceuticals’ new gastrointestinal disorder treatment Metozolv (metoclopramide) OTC (orally disintegrating tablet ) utilizes Zydis, a fast-dissolve technology made by Catalent Pharam Solutions. Zydis is a unique, freeze-dried oral solid dosage form that can be swallowed without water because it dissolves instantly on the tongue in less than three seconds, according to Catalent. This delivery method translates to dosing convenience and ease of administration that makes taking medication easier for patients.

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The medication metoclopramide, used in the treatment of some gastrointestional conditions, has received much press lately. Earlier this year the drug fell under a black box warning by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after studies showed that patients who took the prescription medication were at high risk of experiencing involuntary movements of their face, hands and torso. The condition, known as Tardive Dyskinesia, is a debilitating disorder that often doesn’t go away even after the offending medication has been discontinued. The result has been measured in countless lawsuits against manufacturers of metoclopramide.

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Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., makers of medicines for various gastrointestinal ailments, has received marketing approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Metozolv ODT for the treatment of both diabetic gastroparesis and symptomatic documented GERD. Metozolv ODT is an orally disintegrating metoclopramide tablet. Metoclopramide was previously only available in the United States in a pill form under the brand name Reglan.

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Salix Pharmaceuticals plans to increase its sales force by 60 percent in anticipation of approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the drug maker’s new treatment for gastroparesis. The FDA recently accepted the complete response from the Morrisville, North Carolina-based pharmaceutical company for its orally disintegrating tablet (ORT), a form of metoclopramide called Metozolv, and has granted a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) for September 11, 2009. A PDUFA authorizes the FDA to collect fees from companies that produce certain human drug and biological products.

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the complete response from Salix Pharmaceuticals for its orally disintegrating tablet (ORT) form of metoclopramide called Metozolv, and says it has granted a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), which authorizes the FDA to collect fees from companies that produce certain human drug and biological products, for September 11, 2009. Salix is seeking approval for its drug in the treatment of short-term therapy (4-12 weeks) for adults with symptomatic, documented gastroesophageal refulx (GERD or heartburn) who fail to respond to conventional therapy, and for the relief of symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis (delayed emptying of the stomach).

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