AACHEN, Germany, January 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The mutual recognition procedure to obtain further marketing authorisations for Grunenthal's 5% lidocaine medicated plaster in 14 additional European countries has been positively concluded. Grunenthal has sought approval for its medicated hydrogel plaster for the symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain (nerve pain) associated with previous herpes zoster infection (post-herpetic neuralgia, PHN).
The 5% lidocaine medicated plaster has already been registered in many European, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries. Within the European Union, it has been authorised in Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK. Now that the recent EU procedure has been positively concluded, local authorities in Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovak Republic, Spain, Portugal and Romania are expected to issue a national licence for the plaster within the next few months.
Post-herpetic neuralgia
Following a herpes zoster infection many patients develop post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) - a debilitating chronic nerve pain syndrome. It is caused by an inflammation of peripheral nerves and is associated with localised symptoms such as constant burning sensations, stabbing and shooting pains, allodynia (pain resulting from stimuli that are normally not painful) and hyperalgesia (intense pain resulting from stimuli that are normally inadequate to produce such pain). The incidence of PHN increases with age and occurs at a rate of 1-3 per 1,000 in a population over 75 years of age.
Like other chronic nerve pain conditions, post-herpetic neuralgia is a very complex condition and therefore, difficult to treat. Many patients may wait months for an effective therapy while undergoing treatment according to trial and error.
About 5% lidocaine medicated plaster
The 5% lidocaine medicated plaster is registered in many European, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries for the symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain associated with previous herpes zoster infection (post-herpetic neuralgia, PHN). It is applied directly to the skin, where it is intended to provide pain relief at the affected skin area. Systemic absorption of the pain relieving substance lidocaine is low.
About Grunenthal
Grunenthal is passionate about globally being the preferred partner in pain management for patients, health care professionals and payors. The corporation drives innovation to expand European market leadership in moderate to severe pain. Grunenthal is an independent, family-owned German corporation with companies in 34 countries all over the world. Founded in 1946, the corporation employs 2,000 people in Germany and 5,200 worldwide. In 2008, Grunenthal achieved revenues of about 864 million Euros. More information: http://www.grunenthal.com
Contacts: Grunenthal GmbH Dr Nicole Foellmer Phone: +49-241-569-2858 Fax: +49-241-569-52858 nicole.foellmer@grunenthal.com Hering Schuppener Healthcare Bjoern Haertel Phone: +49-40-36-80-75-21 Fax: +49-40-36-80-75-99 bhaertel@hs-healthcare.de
Current press materials are available in the press section at http://www.grunenthal.com.
SOURCE: Grunenthal GmbH
CONTACT: Contacts: Grunenthal GmbH, Dr Nicole Foellmer, Phone:+49-241-569-2858, Fax: +49-241-569-52858, nicole.foellmer@grunenthal.com;Hering Schuppener Healthcare, Bjoern Haertel, Phone: +49-40-36-80-75-21,Fax: +49-40-36-80-75-99, bhaertel@hs-healthcare.de
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