Schering-Plough’s OPC drug ‘to reach more patients’

Schering-Plough has announced that its treatment for oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), NOXAFIL will reach a larger number of patients.

OPC is a general medical term referring to the oral infection caused by the yeast Candida that has resulted in symptoms of the infection.

NOXAFIL is an innovative triazole antifungal treatment developed by the company.

Last month, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), part of the European Medicines Agency, approved the use of NOXAFIL for the prophylaxis indication and first-line treatment of OPC, a decision awaiting a final European Commission judgment.

The drug has also recently received FDA approval and Robert J Spiegel, chief medical officer and senior vice president at the Schering-Plough Research Institute noted: “We are bringing this important new medicine to more patients in need.”

Earlier this month, Fred Hassan, chairman and chief executive officer of the company, was appointed as president of the International Federation of Pharmaceuticals and Associations in Geneva.