Prevacid given OTC approval

Earlier this month, Novartis announced that Prevacid has been approved by the FDA as the first over-the-counter PPI for the treatment of frequent heartburn since 2003 (Prilosec OTC) and the first PPI ever to be granted OTC status without any alterations to it’s original formula.

The prescription drug was one of the top 5 prescribed brand names in the country with annual sales of $3.37 billion in 2008.

Prevacid 24HR is expected to be available over-the-counter later this year.