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FDA Gives GeoPharma OK To Make, Sell Pill For Dogs

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By CAROL GENTRY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 13, 2007

TAMPA - GeoPharma Inc., which in the past has specialized in manufacturing and distributing other companies' health and beauty products, now has a pill of its own.

The Largo company announced Monday that it has received Food and Drug Administration approval to make and sell carprofen, an anti-inflammatory pill for dogs, under the label Vetprofen.
Carprofen is the generic equivalent of the best-selling Pfizer Animal Health drug Rimadyl. Veterinarians prescribe Rimadyl for the same indications that doctors suggest ibuprofen: arthritis and post-operative pain and swelling.

GeoPharma, which decided several years ago to transform itself into a pharmaceutical company, has been waiting for FDA approval of its first drug application for 2 1/2 years, said Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Carol Dore-Falcone.

"It's really the first milestone to show, 'Hey, we can do it. We did it, and here it is,'" she said.

The caplets are already under production at GeoPharma subsidiary Belcher Pharmaceuticals, also in Largo. Executives said they expect to have shipments going out to veterinarian supply houses within a month. They did not say what they expect the drug to cost.

GeoPharma's pharmaceutical division has a dozen other applications pending with the FDA for permission to make and sell generic versions of other prescription drugs, both human and animal, Dore-Falcone said.

While its contract manufacturing services have been modest moneymakers, GeoPharma's costs in supporting the new pharmaceutical effort during the FDA approval process dragged down overall earnings.

GeoPharma reported a net loss of $1.1 million for the first quarter, which ended June 30. It is scheduled to report second-quarter earnings Wednesday.

Reporter Carol Gentry can be reached at cgentry@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7624.

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