SMITHKLINE BEECHAM TAGAMET HB WILL CARRY LOWER PER-DOSE PRICE THAN J&J MERCK's PEPCID AC; Rx-TO-OTC SWITCH ANTACID PRODUCT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN AUTUMN
Executive Summary
SmithKline Beecham's Tagamet HB will be marketed at a lower per-dose price than competitor J&J Merck's Pepcid AC, SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare-North America President Jack Ziegler indicated during a June 20 teleconference announcing FDA approval of the new over-the-counter version of cimetidine. "Our expectation is that the consumer will find Tagamet pricing...lower than Pepcid on a per dose basis" but higher than Maalox and Mylanta, Ziegler said. SmithKline's OTC cimetidine was cleared by FDA on June 19 for symptomatic relief of heartburn, acid indigestion and sour stomach.