The PMPRB to Hold a Public Hearing into the Price of Adderall XR

OTTAWA, January 19, 2006: The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board will hold a public hearing on April 24, 2006, in the matter of Shire BioChem Inc. (Shire) and the price of the medicine Adderall XR. A pre-hearing conference will also be held March 8, 2006.

The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether, under sections 83 and 85 of the Patent Act, Shire:

• is selling or has sold the medicine known as Adderall XR in any market in Canada at a price that, in the Board's opinion, is or was excessive; and,
• if so, what order, if any, should be made.

Shire began selling Adderall XR: 10 mg (DIN 2248809), 20 mg (DIN 02248811), and 30 mg capsules (DIN 02248813) in Canada under the Special Access Program on September 12, 2002. On April 13, 2004, Shire began selling three additional strengths of Adderall XR: 5 mg (DIN 02248808), 15 mg (DIN 02248810), and 25 mg (DIN 02248812).

Adderall XR is a medicine indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (“ADHD”).

Persons wishing to intervene in the proceeding are required to apply to the Board for leave to intervene on or before February 10, 2006. Such persons should contact the Secretary of the Board for further information on the procedure.

The Notice of Hearing in this matter and Board Staff´s Statement of Allegations are available on the PMPRB Web site under Publications, Hearings.

All requests for information should be addressed to the Secretary of the Board.