Sanofi’s new laxative line-up DulcoSoft approved in Korea

Expected to create synergy effect along with top-selling Dulcolax with macrogol 4000

The world’s top-selling constipation treating drug brand ‘Dulcolax’

The world’s leading constipation relief Dulcolax maker Sanofi is expanding the brand line-up.

 

The global company means to consolidate the leadership in the competitive Korean laxative market with new oral solution.

 

On Mar.

 

23, Sanofi-Aventis Korea has received Ministry of Food and Drug Safety’s (MFDS) approval on DulcoSoft powder (macrogol 4000).

 

In the market, there are two other products with macrogol 400.

 

The non-absorbable osmotic laxative medicine improves defecation by increasing the volume of intestinal fluids to the stools.

 

Macrogol 4000 is widely used in over-the-counter laxative for chronic constipation.

 

Currently Ahn-gook Pharmaceutical’s Forlax powder and Ipsen Korea’s Ipsen Macrogol 4000 powder are two other macrogol 4000 medications approved in Korea.

 

DulcoSoft was actually released once in Korea as an offshoot of Dulcolax brand.

 

Before Sanofi acquired Dulcolax from Boehringer Ingelheim, it was launched in Korean market in 2009.

 

Since Sanofi took over Dulcolax in 2016, Dulcolax-S enteric coating tablet (docusate sodium, bisacodyl) and Dulcolax suppositories (bisacodyl) are available in Korea at the moment.

 

Dulcolax is the world’s top-selling chronic constipation treatment.

 

According to global healthcare consulting firm Nicholas Hall, Dulcolax was the most sold laxative in 2018.

 

Since the release in 1953, Dulcolax has been sold in over hundred countries.

 

The laxative was introduced to the Korean market in 1976, and it has been leading the market for over 17 years.

 

Sanofi says 5.2 packages were sold per minute in 2018.

 

Pharmaceutical market research firm IQVIA found Dulcolax has generated over 13.1 billion won in Korea last year.

 

It topped the market easily putting aside other competitors like Mayqueen-Q by Myung In Pharmaceutical (5.2 billion won), Bicogreen S by Kolon Pharma (2.5 billion won) and Alaxyl by Bukwang Pharm (1.9 billion won).

 

However, the industry experts see that well-known brand name is not enough to defend the title as many laxative makers are aggressively marketing their products.

 

Sanofi’s intention is to add a new line-up to secure the market share.

 

DulcoSoft is recommended to adults and children aged eight years and over.

 

It can be taken one or two sachets dissolved in a liquid to take once-daily, but for children, one sachet in two days is recommended depending on symptoms.

 

The benefits occur within one or two days.

 

However, children should not take the medication for more than three months.