The Board Issues a Notice of Hearing into the Price of Nicoderm ederal Court Decision on HMRC Judicial Review Applications

OTTAWA, April 20, 1999: The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board will hold a public hearing on July 5, 1999, in the matter of Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada Inc. and the price of the nicotine patch Nicoderm.

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

• is selling or has, while a patentee, sold the medicine known as Nicoderm 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.

Nicoderm is a transdermal nicotine patch. It delivers nicotine, the active component of tobacco smoke, through the skin via a patch into the circulation system continuously over 24 hours. It is indicated as an aid for smoking cessation for the partial relief of nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

Persons who wish to intervene in the proceeding are required to apply with the Board for leave to intervene on or before May 11, 1999 and contact the Secretary of the Board for further information on the procedure.

A pre-hearing conference will be held May 28, 1999, in the Board's offices and the public hearing will be held commencing on July 5, 1999.

For information on this matter, please contact Sylvie Dupont Kirby, Secretary of the Board, at:
Toll-free number: 1-877-861-2350
Direct line: (613) 954-8299
Fax: (613) 952-7626
E-mail: sdupont@pmprb-cepmb.gc.ca