PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY SEEKS AGENCY
By Adnews Staff
3M Pharmaceuticals of London has teamed up with Hoechst Marion Roussel of Laval, Que. to co-promote a line of asthma products and hasn't named an agency to handle advertising for the products, Hoechst spokesperson Jean Paul Marsan told Adnews last week. An agency decision will be made by Hoechst by the end of April. Under the deal, the two companies will co-promote the products in Canada, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand. Hoechst will be the sole promoter of the products in the Asia Pacific region, excluding Japan and Taiwan because 3M does not have a presence in that area. The products being marketed under this agreement are the drugs Salbutamol and Beclomethasone, as well as 3M traditional inhaler and its Autohaler. Salbutamol opens up the airways when someone is having an asthma attack. Beclomethasone prevents asthma attacks by controlling the inflammation in the lungs. 3M's regular inhaler requires the user to breathe out, then use the inhaler to get the correct amount of medication. The Autohaler is breath activated, so the medication will automatically be dispensed at the appropriate time during the breathing cycle. According to 3M, 1.5 million Canadians suffer from asthma. Hoechst is a pharmaceutical health management company. 3M is known for its work in the field of respiratory medicine.