1. HBW Insight
  2. >>Health
  3. >>Rx-to-OTC Switch

Novartis Wins Landmark Case Against German Government Over Desloratadine Switch

 
• By David Ridley

Generics giant Novartis through its Hexal subsidiary has won an important case against the German Ministry of Health over a delayed prescription-to-OTC switch of desloratadine, which shows European Union Member States have got the authority to switch at a national level centrally authorized drugs. 

Gavel_1200x675
• Source: Shutterstock

German allergy sufferers will soon be able to get their hands on desloratadine OTC after generics giant Novartis AG won an important case against the country’s Ministry of Health for the drug’s release from prescription-only status.

Despite having received a positive recommendation from Germany’s Expert Committee for Prescription, the Ministry of Health, BMG, blocked the prescription-to-pharmacy-only...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on HBW Insight for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Rx-to-OTC Switch

Haleon Study: Self-Care Policies Could Save Finland €60m Per Year

 
• By David Ridley

Creating a working group to drive Rx-to-OTC switch is one of the ways in which Finland could expand self-care and save €60m per year for the country's health system, suggests a recently published report commissioned by Haleon.

PAGB: UK Gov Must Invest In Self-Care To Realize ‘Untapped Potential’

 
• By David Ridley

Reacting to chancellor Rachel Reeves' 2025 public spending review, PAGB welcomed increased funding for healthcare and life sciences while stressing the need to promote self-care practices.

EU Pharma Reform: Council Proposes Rx Exemption For Topical Antimicrobials

 
• By David Ridley

The EU Council has introduced a key amendment to Article 51 (para 1, point e) of the new pharma directive: “A medicinal product shall be subject to medical prescription where it is an antimicrobial, unless intended for topical use.”

AESGP Annual Meeting: Commission Must ‘Think Carefully’ Before Reverse-Switching Antimicrobials

 
• By David Ridley

If the European Commission is serious about improving the competitiveness of the European Union, it should ditch the idea of making commonly used OTC antimicrobials like thrush treatments and cold sore creams prescription-only, warns Greek Medicines Agency president Evangelos Manolopoulos

More from Health

Haleon Study: Self-Care Policies Could Save Finland €60m Per Year

 
• By David Ridley

Creating a working group to drive Rx-to-OTC switch is one of the ways in which Finland could expand self-care and save €60m per year for the country's health system, suggests a recently published report commissioned by Haleon.

Moberg Nail Fungus Line Takes Lead In Norway As Firm Plots EU Expansion

 
• By Tom Gallen

Terclara - Moberg’s proprietary topical formulation of terbinafine for fungal nail - has established itself as the market leader in Norway just months after its OTC launch. The firm is now plotting its expansion to additional EU markets.

PAGB: UK Gov Must Invest In Self-Care To Realize ‘Untapped Potential’

 
• By David Ridley

Reacting to chancellor Rachel Reeves' 2025 public spending review, PAGB welcomed increased funding for healthcare and life sciences while stressing the need to promote self-care practices.