Interesting to note that Galderma’s patent on metrogel expires June 6, 2006. Fougera is on its way to getting approval to make generic metrogel, potentially leading to a cheaper alternative. Metrogel is a $75 million a year product.
FOUGERA RECEIVES FIRST TENTATIVE GENERIC APPROVAL FOR METROGELMelville, NY (September 16, 2005) –
Fougera, a specialty manufacturer of dermatologic and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, announced today that it has received tentative FDA approval to introduce the first generic version of Metronidazole Topical Gel USP 0.75%. The patent on the branded product by Galderma expires on June 6, 2006.
MetroGel® generated approximately $75 million in sales in 2004. It is indicated for the treatment of rosacea.
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17 comments ↓
I can buy the Metrogel Vaginal for much cheaper than Metrogel/cream. They’re both .75% active ingredient. Is there any reason I shouldnt use the former for topical treatment of rosacea.
Jamey,
Metrogel as a treatment for rosacea was discovered accidentally when Metrogel Vaginal was used and a benefit was seen. I would think that it is quite safe to apply it to your facial skin.
davidp.
is there a generic for rosac cream this stuff cost a ton.
Dave — do you have any updates on generic metrogel? I hope sufferers see a cheap alternative soon.
I’d like to be notified when Metrogel becomes available generically. Am presently waiting to see a dermatoligist, scarce in this area, in late February. I know it’s rosacea; I’ve seen my sister’s. But I wonder what are the chances of getting the dermatologist to prescribe the vaginal form.
Sorry, dermatologist, of course. Duh.
Generic metronidazole gel is easiliy available in Australia, so I would have thought it was easily prescribed in the US as well ?
For those in Australia here is a link to a generic metronidazole product that is not manufactured by Galderma ;
http://www.mydr.com.au/medicines/cmis/metronidazole-gel
davidp.
It’s more than three years now since generic Metrogel first received “tentative approval” from FDA, as I understand it. What is the holdup? For my part, and you can delete this is you want, I believe the pharmaceutical company that makes Metrogel is fighting it for all it’s worth, maybe literally. Too much lucre pours into their coffers for them to give up on this ridiculously expensive medication.
This page here for the cream
Metronidazole (metronidazole) Cream [E. FOUGERA and CO.]
and for the gel
Metronidazole (metronidazole) Gel [E. FOUGERA & CO.]
suggest that the generics from Fougera are available. Has anyone been able to buy it ?
Not in USA it isn’t. Not yet. Canada, New Zealand, Australia, all much, much cheaper than US. Maybe not Fougera but the same generic. I’m to go to the dermatologist today and don’t know what she’ll let me do.
You can buy the generic metronidazole cream (by prescription only, of course) at Sam’s Club pharmacy. I currently pay between $58.00 and $78.00 (no insurance) for a tube. Not cheap, but a lot cheaper than the brand name.
Actually, I’ve been using the generic (purchased at Sam’s) since at least 2006 maybe earlier, I don’t remember. Anne, I don’t understand why you weren’t able to get it in the U.S., unless, your doctor choose not to prescribe the generic. Walgreens pharmacy also carries the generic, Rite Aid doesn’t always have it on hand and sometimes has to order it.
Missy and others, I think some of you are still speaking of metronidazole topical cream. Metrogel is STILL not available in generic, after three and a half years. My sister is still paying that arm and leg for Metrogel but has said she will ask her derm about the cream when her present tube runs out.
I stand by my previous statement, they are raking in the dough. Dave, Australia is a whole different country.
I don’t know what your equivalent is to FDA, but it must function better.
Just a small but important point.
A generic won’t be called Metrogel and it won’t be 1%. Galderma own the name metrogel and still have the patent on the 1% formulation. Only the old 0.75% form of metronidazole is out of patent and thus potentially available generically.
You want a 0.75% metronidazole gel or cream. You most likely won’t be able to notice any difference between a gel and a cream – certainly not in how well it works for the papules and pustules of rosacea.
I have to say that $58-$78 doesn’t sound like a generic price to me but that is just a gut feeling.
davidp.
I know the cream I use is 0.75. I agree, David, $58-78 is not a generic price. You might find a dermatologist who will give you samples, which is what my sister used for a long time. The 45 oz tube of cream will last me ages. It only takes a dab.
A bit off topic, but is there any reason to think the gel base might be better for oily skin than the cream? Both are available as a generic. I’m new to rosacea. I got the cream because that is what the Dr. called in. I asked the pharmacist if the cream was suitable for oily skin types and she said it was for all skin types–but it actually seemed to make me oily although the pharmacist warned it might dry my skin. Though the oiliness is a little better since I’ve made more of an effort to rub it very thin. Can anyone weigh in who has tried both or has a preference for one or the other?
I am a llongtime user of metrogel. but at 73 years of age, can no longer afford it.
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