LAST month's upscheduling of OTC codeine products to prescription-only has seen sales of AFT Pharmaceuticals' paracetamol/ibuprofen combination Maxigesic roughly double since the beginning of the year.
AFT managing director Hartley Atkinson said weekly sales data for the period 05-18 Feb showed Maxigesic was the top selling combination product in Australian pharmacies, with particularly strong sales of the larger S3 pharmacist-only Maxigesic 30s packs.
Atkinson said this was significant because it meant the products were being recommended by pharmacists.
"For us to lead this category is encouraging because there are some heavily promoted brands we're competing against.
"Pharmacists clearly have confidence in Maxigesic," he said.
AFT has highlighted its unique formulation which sees it as the only combination analgesic that can provide the maximum daily OTC dosage of paracetamol (4000mg) and ibuprofen (1200mg).
Atkinson said that means patients who require the maximum daily dosage can take more tablets than competitor products," thereby generating higher sales for pharmacies".
He said while the strong sales were pleasing it was early days in the post-OTC codeine market - particularly with patients stockpiling product prior to the switch date.
"As these supplies run out they will be coming into pharmacies to find an alternative painkiller...so while the early signs are positive for us, there is still a bit of settling to happen in the market long term," Atkinson said.
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