The launch of a new over-the-counter treatment to relieve urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate

31 March 2010: One in four men over the age of 40 suffers from annoying ‘pee’ problems¹, ranging from a frequent urge to pee (particularly at night) to difficulty getting started. New Flomax Relief® MR is the first proven treatment² to be made available without prescription in pharmacy for men aged between 45 and 75 years. It provides relief from lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by an enlarged prostate, otherwise known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).²

David Bright, aged 50, is one of many men, who have suffered LUTS as a result of having benign prostatic hyperplasia: “Before receiving treatment, I would always make sure I knew where the toilets were. I found it was really frustrating when it interfered with doing the things that I love, like watching football and then having to get up three times to pee just in one half! Going to the movies was also embarrassing. I would have to try to find a seat at the end of an aisle just to avoid walking back and forth in front of the people on my way to the loo.”

Although very annoying for those men and their families affected, these symptoms can be easily relieved. Taken as a once-daily capsule, Flomax Relief provides effective symptomatic relief from within one week of treatment.² It acts to gently relax the muscle within the prostate and around the bladder neck allowing the bladder to empty more completely.²

Previously only available on prescription, the active ingredient in Flomax Relief is tamsulosin hydrochloride 0.4 mg², which has been the UK's most widely used treatment for urinary symptoms caused by BPH for over 10 years.³

General Practitioner, Professor Mike Kirby: “The availability of an effective treatment directly from pharmacy should be encouraged, as it provides men with a convenient treatment option for their urinary symptoms. Furthermore, this new provision may help to increase the public’s awareness of this common condition and encourage more men to seek advice from a trained healthcare professional.”

Flomax Relief offers sufferers a new and convenient treatment option which can help to take control of their LUTS within one week. This over-the-counter treatment will be particularly valuable for those men who may be unaware that their symptoms can be easily relieved or who dismiss them as simply a part of getting older. The availability of this treatment in pharmacy with established efficacy will help to increase the number of men seeking help for their symptoms, as well as provide opportunities for healthcare professionals to screen men earlier for more serious health conditions.

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For further information please contact Virgo HEALTH:

Lizzie Andrewss: Tel: 020 8939 1272
Chiara Marcelline: Tel: 020 8939 2461
flomaxrelief@virgohealth.com

Notes to editors
About Flomax Relief
• Flomax Relief contains the active ingredient tamsulosin hydrochloride 0.4mg, and is currently licensed in the UK for the functional symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).²
• Flomax Relief has a pharmacy (P) licence, meaning that it is not available for self-selection and is purchased under the supervision of a pharmacist.
• Men who are suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) will consult with a pharmacist to assess their suitability for Flomax Relief using a validated screening questionnaire. If deemed appropriate for treatment, sufferers will be supplied with an initial two week trial pack and, if well tolerated, a further four week supply will be provided. The pharmacist will advise men to see their GP within the first six weeks of commencing treatment for a full prostate health check. If considered by the GP appropriate to continue treatment with Flomax Relief, additional supply will be available to men from pharmacy. A yearly annual review with the GP will be recommended and required for continued OTC availability of Flomax Relief, with referral to the GP at anytime if symptoms worsen/change or they develop any problems with the medication.
• Flomax Relief is available from as little as £0.60 per day; with a pack of 28 capsules (four weeks supply) available at a RRP of £16.99, and the trial pack of 14 capsules (two weeks supply) at a RRP of £8.99.
• www.flomaxrelief.co.uk

About Boehringer Ingelheim
• The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 138 affiliates in 47 countries and 41,300 employees.
• Since it was founded in 1885, the independent, family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.
• In 2008, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of 11.6 billion euro while spending one fifth of net sales in its largest business segment Prescription Medicines on research and development.

References
1. Simpson RJ, Lee RJ, Garraway WM, King D et al. Consultation patterns in a community survey of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. British Journal of General Practice. 1994; 44:499-502.
2. Summary of Product Characteristics for Flomax Relief MR
3. Department of Health. Prescription Cost Analysis Data. England 2004 p214 www.dh.gov.uk.
 

This news story was brought to you by Boehringer Ingelheim – the largest family-owned pharmaceutical company in the world.