The first half of 2021 was a period of intensified work for pharmaceutical companies in order to best address the demand for medicines. Aflofarm Farmacja Polska Sp. z o.o. actively developed its portfolio by new product releases. What are the new launches over the last six months?  Which product lines are pivotal for the company to develop?  

In the first six months of 2021 Aflofarm Farmacja Polska Sp. z o.o. made a number of new launches including OTC products, food supplements and cosmetics. OTC products included Diohespan max, oral powder; Steper pro, aerosol; Inventum max, chewable tablets; Dezaftan med, losenges and mouth spray; additionally, Asecurin IB (a food supplement) and Panthen plus, spray foam (a cosmetic).

The first half of 2021 was a period of intensive work in the difficult time of the pandemic. Our actions were focused on the quality and developing best therapeutic solutions. We expanded our product portfolio with OTC products among others which are intended to improve the quality of life of Patients. These products are indicated for the safe treatment of symptoms of various diseases and disorders that can be self-diagnosed by a Patient with the help of a pharmacist - says Hanna Wahl, Director for Development, Board Member in Aflofarm Farmacja Polska.

Diohespan max, oral powder

One of the company’s key OTC brands is Diohespan max available in a tablet form. At the beginning of 2021 we launched Diohespan max in the form of an oral powder containing (like tablets) the maximum dose of diosmin available without prescription – 1000mg in one sachet. Thie medication adds to the Diohespan product line. Diohespan max oral powder in sachets is the first and sole medication in Poland containing 1000mg of diosmin in such dosage form[1] available without prescription. It is characterised by easy administration: you should put the powder directly onto your tongue and swallow. If needed, you can take it with water or dissolve it in a small amount of water and drink it. It can be used among others by persons who have a problem swallowing pills. The powder has orange-cherry scent and a pleasant flavour. The medication is indicated to treat chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs (varicose veins): leg pains and night leg cramps, the sensation of heavy legs, varicose veins of lower limbs, leg oedema (swelling) as well as dilatation of very small venous vessels, the so called spider veins. Dohespan max in oral powder is also recommended in symptomatic treatment of anal varicose veins (haemorrhoids).

Dohespan max in tablet or sachet form shows protective action and increases venous tone. It also supports microcirculation by reducing the capillary permeability and enhancing vascular resistance.

Steper pro, skin aerosol – a new dosage form

Another product recently launched on the market is a medical device Steper pro in a spray form. It adds to the existing product line comprising Steper Spray (a cosmetic product), Steper nail polish (a cosmetic product), Steper pro cream (OTC product).

New release - Steper pro, a skin aerosol is an OTC containing bifonazole which is indicated for the topical treatment of fungal skin infections, such as fungal foot and hand infection (tinea pedis and tinea manuum), pityriasis versicolor, tinea corporis, pityriasis rosea , superficial candidiasis caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, moulds and other fungi. It is also indicated in the topical treatment of pityriasis rosea. 1 ml of the solution contains 10 mg of bifonazole.

Dezaftan med - to treat problems occurring in oral cavity

In 2021 Aflofarm Farmacja Polska also launched two forms of OTC medication Dezaftan med, a mouth spray and Dezaftan med, lozanges. Both forms act antiseptically and anaesthize the painful place acting on problems occurring in the oral cavity - inflammations, gingivitis, infections and ulcers of the oral mucosa (aphthae) including mechanical injuries caused by braces and dental prostheses. The medications show bactericidal, antifungal and antiviral activity [2], and the painful area is anesthetized after the first minute of application [3].

Dezaftan med adds to the existing Dezaftan line of products which comprises Dezaftan gel (a medical device) and Dezaftan clean (a cosmetic product). The former creates a protective film on the surface of the oral mucosa, thanks to which it provides pain relief. The device is indicated to treat aphthae (aphthous ulcers), aphthous stomatitis, thrush and minor injuries, including mechanical injuries caused by orthodontic appliances and dental prosthesis. Dezaftan Clean, on the other hand, is intended for daily hygiene and oral care for people prone to aphthae.

Inventum max – maximum dose of sildenafil

Inventum is an important brand in the offering of OTC medications by Aflofarm Farmacja Polska. The product line has been extended by Inventum max – a medicinal product indicated for use in adult men with erectile dysfunction, which is the inability to obtain or maintain a penial erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. Inventum max contains maximum dose of 50 mg of sildenafil per tablet [4] available without prescription. In the studies where 50mg of sildenafil was used, erectile improvement was seen in 74% of patients[5].

A talking horse, an unusual element of the advertising campaign of Inventum max, is also noteworthy for departing from the standard scheme of advertising products that improve the quality of sexual life. Extensive advertising activities, including digital media and television, were launched in the second half of June 2021, and an outdoor campaign is also planned in the future.

The first synbiotic in product portfolio

The food supplement product range has been expanded in recent months also with Asecurin IB, which is a combination of probiotics and prebiotics. The food supplement contains specially selected strains of probiotic bacteria and yeast which naturally replenish intestinal microflora. The supplement, thanks to the use of cellulose capsules which are resistant to gastric juices, reaches its destination, i.e. intestines.

Panthen Plus - 20% panthenol

This year’s new releases by Aflofarm include a cooling foam Panthen Plus, which contains up to 20% of panthenol. The preparation effectively soothes, moisturizes and supports skin regeneration after thermal burns, sunburn or depilation.

Provitamin B5 – an active substance of Panthen Plus is transformed in the skin into pantothenic acid, which ensures correct course of metabolic process in epidermal cells. Aloe leaf juice reduces burning and itching sensations bringing relief to irritated and reddened skin. Sea-buckthorn oil stimulates regeneration process and strengthens skin’s protective barrier. Thanks to moisturizing ingredients , it nourished the skin, maintaining its proper moisture level and improving its elasticity.

The delicate foam enables application on particularly sensitive areas, where the skin is most irritated and dry and rubbing in may cause discomfort.

Expanding Aflofarm product portfolio with new OTC medications, food supplements and cosmetics closely corresponds to our idea of supporting health-related quality of life (QOL) and well-being by launching effective and safe products designed to meet the needs of the Patients. Satisfaction of Patients and Pharmacists addressing their needs through daily advice and counsel and pharmaceutical care motivates us to continuously work on new solutions based on our experience and expertise – adds Wahl.

[1] In relations to data from Register of Medicinal Products available at https://rejestrymedyczne.ezdrowie.gov.pl/rpl/search/public as of 30.06.2021
[2] Pursuant to section 5.1 of the SmPC: Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) is a is a quaternary ammonium surfactant (QAS) that shows bactericidal activity against Gram-negative, Gram-positive and antifungal bacteria (Candida albicans). Zinc shows antiviral activity and determines the proper functioning of the immune system.
[3] Pursuant to section 5.1 of the SmPC: It takes about 1-5 minutes for the oral mucosa to inhibit nerve conduction.
[4} Inventum max contains a double dose of sildenafil in one tablet (50 mg) compared to medicinal products containing 25 mg of sildenafil in one tablet.
[5] Pursuant to section 5.1 of the SmPC: In the fixed dose studies, 62% of patients (25 mg dose), 74% (50 mg dose) and 82% (100 mg dose) improved erectile function compared to up to 25% of patients who received placebo.