Shire completes major European Fosrenol roll-out

Shire has announced that it has completed its roll-out of Fosrenol (lanthanum carbonate) in the major European markets.

The company made this announcement following the launch of the non-calcium phosphate binder for the management of hyperphosphataemia in Spain, with the drug now available in 24 countries.

An effective monotherapy treatment, the drug is the first to be developed in-house by the firm from research molecule to market.

The company reports that effective phosphate control is vital for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients experiencing hyperphosphataemia.

It adds that, if not properly managed, hyperphosphataemia can result in significant health problems, including cardiovascular disease and CKD-related mineral and bone disorder, which causes painful and brittle bones.

David Milton, senior vice-president, Shire Renal Business Unit, said: “As CKD progresses, its management becomes increasingly challenging for patients as dietary restrictions and fluid limitations become paramount.”

He added that patients at stage five of CKD are likely to take around ten to 12 medications as well as being on dialysis for the different complications of their conditions, including hyperphosphataemia.

In March 2007, Shire announced the UK launch of Fosrenol that expanded the global reach of the drug to around 1.4 million patients.