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Title: VANCENASE AQ Once-Daily Receives Marketing Clearance
URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/9B26.htm
Doctor's Guide
June 27, 1996

MADISON, N.J., June 27, 1996 -- Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) announced today that VANCENASE(R) AQ 84 mcg Double Strength, a once-daily aqueous corticosteroid nasal spray for adults and children 6 years of age and over, has received marketing clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Available by prescription, VANCENASE AQ 84 mcg Double Strength is indicated for relief of symptoms of allergic and non-allergic (vasomotor) rhinitis, including sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion. VANCENASE AQ 84 mcg Double Strength is a concentrated form of VANCENASE(R) AQ, a twice-daily formulation and the current U.S. market leader among intranasal corticosteroids.

"Beclomethasone dipropionate -- the active ingredient in VANCENASE AQ -- has accrued more than 2 billion patient days of safe and effective use in allergy sufferers," said Richard W. Zahn, president, Schering Laboratories, the U.S. prescription pharmaceutical marketing arm of Schering-Plough. "Now consumers have the added benefits of a convenient, concentrated-strength, once-daily formulation that costs the same as VANCENASE AQ."

The new VANCENASE AQ formulation delivers 84 mcg of beclomethasone dipropionate per dose (two metered sprays, once daily), twice the amount of medication released in the same dosage of VANCENASE AQ. Clinical trials with VANCENASE AQ 84 mcg Double Strength in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis showed that this concentrated, once-daily medication is as safe and effective in relieving the symptoms of allergic rhinitis as the original formulation. In a recent study of 194 patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, VANCENASE AQ 84 mcg Double Strength, administered once daily, significantly reduced nasal symptoms when compared with placebo. The incidence of side effects in patients treated with VANCENASE AQ 84 mcg Double Strength was similar to that found with placebo.

"In recent years, the use of intranasal corticosteroids has increased significantly and now comprises 26.4 percent of the prescription allergy medication market," said Zahn. "VANCENASE AQ 84 mcg Double Strength will be a strong new force in this market, benefiting from its convenient once-daily dosing regimen." He said the product will be available nationwide in July.

ALLERGIC RHINITIS: COSTS TO INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETY

Allergic rhinitis, a common condition affecting approximately 40 million Americans, including 4 million children, can have more serious implications than simply sneezing or a runny nose.

Research shows that allergic rhinitis can affect children's performance in the classroom and lead to absenteeism. One study shows that children miss 2 million school days per year because of allergic rhinitis. Allergies also can lead to recurrent health problems in children, such as sinusitis and ear infections.

The impact of allergies on adult lives can be equally serious, impairing work performance and limiting the ability to enjoy leisure activities.

In addition to the impact on individuals, society as a whole incurs significant costs as a result of allergic rhinitis. It has been estimated that the direct costs (e.g., medication, physician visits, etc.) and indirect costs (e.g., lost workdays) of allergic rhinitis in 1990 totaled $1.8 billion in the United States.

"To help minimize the costs of allergies to the individual and to society, proper allergy management is essential," said Bruce Prenner, M.D., associate clinical professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy & Immunology, University of California, San Diego. "Rapid diagnosis and treatment can lessen the severity and duration of symptoms while minimizing the costs of treating many of the secondary conditions associated with allergic rhinitis."

ROLE OF COMPLIANCE IN ALLERGY MANAGEMENT

As with any medical condition, effective allergy management requires compliance with the prescribed therapeutic regimen. But compliance is particularly important with the use of intranasal corticosteroids, which must be used on a regular basis for several weeks to attain maximum efficacy. "Inconvenient dosing schedules can compromise patient compliance, reducing the effectiveness of treatment," said Dr. Prenner. "Use of an effective formulation -- one that is taken once daily -- should help maximize patient compliance."

Schering-Plough manufactures and markets U.S. prescription pharmaceuticals through its Schering Laboratories, Key Pharmaceuticals and Warrick Pharmaceuticals units. Products include respiratory products, dermatologicals, anti-infectives, anticancer and antiviral products, and cardiovasculars. The company also manufactures and markets animal health products, leading over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals and personal care products.

Schering-Plough Corporation is a research-based company engaged in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical and health care products worldwide.

CONTACT: Ronald Asinari of Schering-Plough, 201-822-7402; Donna Sepulveda of Edelman Medical Communications, 212-704-8193/ /NOTE TO EDITORS: Schering-Plough Corporation press releases are available at no charge through PR Newswire's Company News On-Call fax service and on PRN's Web site. For a menu of Schering-Plough press releases or to retrieve a specific release, call 800-758-5804, extension 777050

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