Francesco identifies next generation of switch

LONG BRANCH, N.J. — Francesco International on Tuesday released a Rx-to-OTC projection report covering potential switches through 2016. The potential switches include drugs prescribed for chronic use or for asymptomatic conditions — two switch hurdles that to date have not cleared the Food and Drug Administration approval process.

The report outlined a group of potential nonprescription drugs coined by Francesco International as OTC-E, as in "enabled," to identify switch opportunities that may take advantage of today's technological innovations to help augment self-diagnoses and self-selection in the OTC aisles.

Any OTC-E medicine would open potential OTC categories to such therapy areas as hypertension, lipid-lowering, osteoporosis, arthritis or incontinence, Francesco suggested.

"The U.S. healthcare system has been in an unsatisfactory gridlock for some years now with payers, providers, pharmaceutical companies, patients and consumers all somewhat frustrated," stated Steven Francesco, the principal author of the report and CEO of Francesco International. “Finally, the major players are now starting to move, and some of the new dynamics, especially the contribution of technology, are becoming apparent. If you can see what is starting to happen overall and then drill down with regard to the Rx-to-OTC switch, you can see some very positive trends emerging," he said. "This report captures what is happening now and what is likely to happen over the next few years, especially the implications for the Rx-to-OTC switch."

Francesco International will be teaming up with global research firm ORC International to present a webinar “The Revival of Rx to OTC Switch: Improved Market Dynamics Fuel Expansion,” scheduled for Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Francesco International also will be presenting a second webinar with the pharmaceutical website Pharmalot.com, “The Major Growth of Rx-to-OTC Switch Category: OTC-E Drugs Will Lead the Way,” on Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. Eastern time.