Estrogen product tops 1996 charts

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Pharmaceutical Representative

Wyeth-Ayerst's Premarin remained the most-prescribed pharmaceutical product in the United States last year, according to IMS America, Totowa, NJ.

Wyeth-Ayerst's Premarin remained the most-prescribed pharmaceutical product in the United States last year, according to IMS America, Totowa, NJ.

American Home Products, Madison, NJ, topped the list of pharmaceutical manufacturers with a total of 159.6 million prescriptions in 1996, gaining significant help from the Wyeth-Ayerst Division, Philadelphia.

IMS reported a total of 2.4 billion prescriptions dispensed in 1996, a 4% increase over 1995.

Of these, Premarin was responsible for 44.8 million prescriptions.

Although this only represents a 1% increase over Premarin prescriptions for 1995, the drug remains far and away the leader in terms of prescription volume.

Holding the lead in prescription volume among drug manufacturers, American Home Products grew 10% over 1995. In second place, New York-based Bristol-Myers Squibb held 134.3 million prescriptions, a 9% increase over the prior year.

IMS said Hoechst Marion Roussel Inc., Kansas City, MO, experienced an 11% decrease in prescription volume with 131.7 million scripts for 1996, ranking the company third. PR

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