Sales & Earnings In Brief

Santarus expects OTC Zegerid in 2010: The proton pump inhibitor's originator expects Merck/Schering-Plough to launch OTC Zegerid, should FDA approve it, in the first half of 2010. FDA's action date on the Zegerid switch application is set for December (1"The Tan Sheet" June 29, 2009, In Brief). In its Nov. 4 earnings release, San Diego-based Santarus raised its fiscal 2009 revenue guidance to $150 million from $145 million, but expects challenging quarters ahead due to changes in the PPI market, including this month's planned launch of Novartis' OTC Prevacid 24HR. Santarus increased product-related revenues 29.8 percent to $38.3 million in the third quarter. Rx Zegerid sales grew 12.1 percent to $31.5 million