News Release
Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Yamanouchi Obtains Approval for the Orally Disintegrating Tablet Harnal
D Tablet, a Treatment for Functional Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, in Japan
September 21, 2004
Tokyo - September 21, 2004 - Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("Yamanouchi"; President and CEO: Toichi Takenaka) announced that it obtained approval for Harnal D Tablet 0.1mg/0.2 mg, an additional dosage form for the treatment for functional symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia Harnal (generic name: tamsulosin HCl), in Japan.
Harnal D Tablet is an orally disintegrating tablet developed using Yamanouchi's proprietary drug delivery technology WOWTAB*1. It can be ingested without water since it quickly disintegrates upon contact with saliva in the mouth. It can be easily taken even by elderly patients and patients with impaired swallowing function. It is also useful for patients with restricted water consumption and meets various needs of patients
Harnal is an
1 blocking agent with a great selectivity for prostatic and urethral smooth muscles. It improves the functional symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia by relaxing the urethra with almost no effect on vascular smooth muscles, which affect blood pressure. It is now marketed in 65 countries including Japan, the US and European countries, and its efficacy and safety are highly appreciated.
In addition to Harnal D Tablet in Japan, Yamanouchi plans to launch the long-lasting controlled release formulation YM617 TOCAS*2 in Europe. Yamanouchi will continue to maximize the value of Harnal by marketing these new formulations.
*1 WOWTAB:WithoutWaterTablet
*2 TOCAS:TamsulosinOralControlledAbsorptionSystem