Metamizole sodium

Metamizole sodium is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), commonly used in many countries as a powerful analgesic and antipyretic. It is better known under the names Dipyrone, Analgin, Novalgin, Algocalmin, and Melubrin.

Metamizole was banned in Sweden in 1974, in the United States in 1977. Since then, more than 30 countries (including Japan, Australia, Iran, and several of the European Union member nations) have followed suit. In these countries, metamizole is still occasionally used as a veterinary drug. In Germany and Spain it is a prescription drug. Some European pharmaceutical companies, notably Hoechst and Merck, continue to develop metamizole-containing drugs and market them in some countries. In Sweden, the ban was lifted in 1995 only to be re-introduced in 1999.

In other parts of the world (including Mexico, India, Egypt, Brazil, Poland, Russia, Turkey, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Israel and some developing countries) metamizole is still freely available over-the-counter, remains one of the most popular analgesics, and plays an important role in self-medication. For example, metamizole and metamizole-containing drugs account for 80% of OTC analgesic market in Russia, whereas ibuprofen accounts for 2.5%. In Brazil, metamizole (Novalgina) products, although over-the-counter, carry warnings to avoid usage by those under 19 years old, and include some information about early detection and treatment of agranulocytosis. Although the Brazilian government did not push for a ban on the drug, its use has seen a decline in the past years as pharmaceutical companies and doctors pushed aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen based products as replacement, especially regarding child care. Amongst adults it is still widely used. Some of the most widely available metamizole-containing products still in use in Brazil are: Buscopan Plus (under the name of Buscopan Composto), Novalgina and Neosaldina. Generic Dipyrone is also available.

Antipyretic effect

A randomized, double blind, multinational study involving 555 children showed that metamizole and ibuprofen were significantly more effective than paracetamol in achieving normal body temperatures; metamizole produced a significantly greater temperature reduction than ibuprofen and paracetamol, and helped maintain low temperatures for a longer duration.

Ratiopharm

Ratiopharm is one of the leading international generics producer and in our home country Germany the top selling and most commonly prescribed pharmaceutical brand. We produce high quality medicines and sell them at low prices. By doing so, we contribute to cost containment in the healthcare sector. With about 750 medicines, available exclusively from pharmacies, ratiopharm has one of the widest product ranges in the business. We sell 550 million pack units every year, meeting the needs of virtually all areas of medicine, from allergies to circulation problems and from gastroenteritis to toothaches. Through the acquisition of research-based companies, we are now expanding our capability as a supplier of complex therapy systems. Founded in 1973, ratiopharm GmbH is now bringing its business model and experience to international markets. In addition to its headquarters in Germany, ratiopharm is represented worldwide with branches in 24 countries. Products are available in 34 countries. With sales revenues of 840 million Euros in Germany (including oncology unit), our world-wide operations additionally generate sales of 1.9 billion Euros. With more than 30 years of experience in the development and distribution of high quality, low-cost pharmaceuticals, and nearly 750 products currently at the approval stage, we are confident of achieving high growth in the coming years.

Biosimilars - An important international trend

With the development and production of biotechnological products, the ratiopharm Group is establishing a new mainstay for the future. Biosimilars are follow-on products, or generic biopharmaceuticals, commonly known as biogenerics. These drugs contain protein agents that are produced from genetically modified cell lines. Biotech medications are the most cost-intensive drugs, making biosimilars one of the world's most interesting growth areas. Many patents for biotech drugs are currently expiring or are due to expire in the near future. A milestone for the ratiopharm Group in this new market was the receipt of a "positive opinion" for the first ratiopharm biosimilar from the EU regulatory EMEA in February 2008. This "positive opinion" marked the successful conclusion of a six-year product development at BioGeneriX, a subsidiary of the ratiopharm Group. The establishment of BioGeneriX AG in 2000 marked the beginning of a new business segment strategy for the corporate group at a very early stage of development. Based in Mannheim. Germany, BioGeneriX focuses on the biopharmaceutical and clinical development of suitable candidates for biosimilars. The decision to launch production of biotechnological agents was announced in summer 2004. Within the ratiopharm Group, Merckle Biotec GmbH is responsible for manufacturing biopharmaceutical agents and consumer products. In March 2006, a multipurpose facility for manufacturing biotechnological agents was started up in Ulm. With this move, the ratiopharm Group now has the complete value-added chain and all associated expertise within its own pharmaceutical group.