Nexium UPDATE
02/22/05

Nexium is the successor drug to Prilosec, both manufactured by the same company, AstraZeneca. In 2000, Prilosec was the world's largest selling prescription drug, with sales of over $6 billion. Patent protection for Prilosec was due to expire in April 2001.

In anticipation of the expiration of the Prilosec patent, AstraZeneca began a massive advertising campaign that endeavored to transfer the brand loyalty patients felt for Prilosec to Nexium. Nexium quickly became the most heavily advertised drug in the United States .

To help with the switch, AstraZeneca priced Nexium slightly below Prilosec, gave discounts to managed care plans and hospitals, barraged doctors with free samples, and even offered coupons in newspapers. The campaign reportedly cost the company a half billion dollars in 2001. In 2003, although U.S. revenues from Prilosec slid to under $1 billion, Nexium sales exceeded $2.4 billion. According to AstraZeneca's 2003 Annual Report, Nexium's share of the U.S. PPI market is 25.3%

If you would like more information on this case or how to participate in the litigation to recover prescription drugs costs, contact Jason J. Thompson.