12 June 2020 - Deborah Wilkes
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare has teamed up with a music star for the launch of Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel in the US, while the Netherlands is adding a warning to the patient information leaflet for medicines containing promethazine.
Voltaren teams up with Paula Abdul
GSK Consumer Healthcare has teamed up with music star Paula Abdul for the OTC launch of Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel in the US.
Abdul said her doctor had prescribed Voltaren when she was diagnosed with arthritis. “Voltaren made a huge difference in relieving my pain and helping me move with ease,” she commented, adding that she was “excited it’s now available OTC at stores nationwide”.
“I’m excited to partner with Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel to share my personal journey with arthritis and success using Voltaren,” added Abdul. “I’ve put my joints through a lot over the years.”
Abdul appears in a range of promotional materials featuring the “joy of movement” message used worldwide for the brand.
GSK announced in February 2020 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had switched its topical pain reliever Voltaren (diclofenac sodium topical gel 1%) from prescription-to-OTC status (click here to read the News story).
The Netherlands takes action on promethazine
The Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB) in the Netherlands is asking manufacturers of medicines containing promethazine to add a warning about hallucinations to patient information leaflets.
Promethazine is a prescription-only medicine in the Netherlands but has OTC status in a number of countries.
The move follows an analysis by the Netherlands pharmacovigilance centre, Lareb, which recorded eleven reports of hallucinations.