Block Drug Aphthasol given priority approval for canker sore treatment Dec. 18.

Executive Summary

BLOCK DRUG APHTHASOL ORAL PASTE FOR APHTHOUS ULCERS is first prescription drug to be approved for the canker sore indication. Aphthasol (amlexanox oral paste, 5%) was approved Dec. 17 for "the treatment of aphthous ulcers in people with normal immune systems." Aphthasol will be marketed through Block Drug's Oral Health Care Division and will be launched "during calendar year 1997," the company said. Block Drug said that it "does not anticipate this product will have a material effect on sales and earnings."