With the revision of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law on June 1, 2009, OTC products are divided into and sold in three different categories, from Class 1 to 3. Sato Pharmaceutical, a leader in self-medication, is putting most of its research and development efforts into Class 1 pharmaceuticals, the class for which the greatest expectations for effectiveness exist. The company is also strengthening marketing activities for its major brands. Supplements, foods for specified health uses, quasi-drugs are areas of customer expectation. Sato provides these products in locations close to the consumer and supports healthcare by producing high-quality products while at the same time putting effort into bringing established global brands to the Japanese market.

Promoting R&D of Class 1 pharmaceuticals, part of the new sales system

With the revision of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law, Switch OTC and other products are classied as Class 1, a designation that has brought greater attention by consumers. The materials used in Switch OTC products have few side effects, so these highly safe materials are now being used in OTC products. The background to the increased interest in Switch OTC products comes with the awareness of health issues that have come with the increase in lifestyle diseases. Among Sato Pharmaceutical’s Class 1 pharmaceuticals are the stomatitis treatment Aftach A, containing triamcinolone acetonide; and Inosea One Block, with the new-generation H2 blocker roxatidine acetate. In November of 2009, sales began of the Switch OTC herpes labialis treatment Arasena S, containing vidarabine in the same concentration as for ethical pharmaceuticals. In March of 2010, the stomach medicine Inosea Balance, containing the medical ingredient troxipide, will be the st of a number of Switch OTC products planned to be brought to the market. Keeping close watch on market needs and trends, Sato will continue to exert increased efforts in the research and development of Class 1 pharmaceuticals.

Yunker, Acess, Stona/Stona Rhini: Strengthening the big three brands

Self-medication is the main business area driving Sato Pharmaceutical’s OTC business activities. The wide healthcare coverage provided by some 400 company products includes everything from OTC pharmaceuticals to supplements, quasi-drugs, foods with nutrient function claims and foods for specied health uses to cosmetics. Among these, the three major products capturing the greatest attention are the herbal-based nutritional tonic Yunker series; the anti-gingivitis, anti-peridontitis Acess series―which holds a 60-percent share of Japan’s medicated toothpaste market; and the popular, symptom-specific Stona series and Stona Rhini nasal medicines. Yunker and Acess are Sato’s core products, and the ones which are receiving special promotional attention to even further expand their user base.

Apart from these, many other highly original products have been released into the market, including the topical analgesic Salomethyl; the antipyretic analgesic Ringl IB; the laxative Satolax; worldwide long-seller Bayer Aspirin, in a cooperative sales activity with Bayer that began in October of 2008; and the liver ursodeoxycholic acid compound Liverurso―all contributing to the self-medication of consumers.

Another Sato Pharmaceutical OTC product is the orally-dissolving SATAB tablet, which requires no water, and the soluble Gel Capsule and other products using new, unique, easy-to-use delivery systems which make them very popular with consumers.

Sato's herbal and food series: applying high-function materials

Sato Pharmaceutical's herbal and food series is recognized in Europe as pharmaceutical. Making use of highly functional materials in their manufacture, the series is now a lineup of 11 products. Supporting OTC products, in the development of supplement products, Sato established a tie-up with Merck KGaA in June 2007 for the sale in Japan of the Bion 3 probiotic multivitamin and mineral combination. In November 2009 a new version of Bion 3 with added lactic-acid bacilli was put on sale. Plans also exist to further promote self-medication through the sale of global brands from around the world in the Japan market. Also, extra efforts are being made in the development of foods for specied health uses. For the future, Sato will focus on effective, highly evidence-based products aimed at diseases related to aging and lifestyle.