Company Watch

Wockhardt gets two FDA approvals

Our News Bureau - Mumbai

Wockhardt has announced USFDA approval for marketing Furosemide and Ketorolac injections in the US market. Furosemide injection is one of the most widely used diuretics (drugs that promote excretion of urine) in hospitals and ICUs in several life-threatening conditions. Ketorolac is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in the management of acute pain following surgery and trauma. Over 40 million vials of Ketorolac injections, valued at $36 million are consumed annually by hospitals across United States, as per IMS.

Furosemide is the company's fourth and Ketorolac the fifth injection to receive USFDA approval. Commenting on the occasion Wockhardt Chairman Habil Khorakiwala said, "Injectibles are a key element of our US strategy. The regulatory process for approval of sterile injectibles is complex and demanding, which limits the number of players in the market." Wockhardt's US subsidiary will be launching both the injections in the US market. It will market Ketorolac injection directly to hospitals, wholesalers, doctors' clinics and managed care companies.

The injections will be manufactured at the USFDA-certified sterile formulation plant at Waluj, Maharashtra. Over the last one year, Wockhardt USA has built relationships with large hospitals, group purchasing organisations and the managed care segment in the US to market its injectibles.