Perrigo Company plc and its partner Dexcel Pharma Technologies, Ltd., announced the launch of store brand omeprazole delayed release orally disintegrating tablets 20mg (omeprazole ODT), an over-the-counter (OTC) medication to treat frequent heartburn. Omeprazole ODT is an FDA-approved medication, featuring MelTech melt-in-your-mouth technology, that dissolves in the mouth without water. This product is packaged and marketed as a store brand or retailer 'own label' brand and will provide consumers with a high-quality option for treating frequent heartburn.

"Consumers want a heartburn medication that provides effective, long-term relief, but they also want a product that is easy and convenient to take," said Jeff Needham, executive vice president and president, consumer healthcare Americas. "Our novel Omeprazole ODT product combines the effective heartburn relief of omeprazole with innovative MelTech melt-in-your-mouth technology that heartburn sufferers desire. Perrigo is excited to be the first to bring this innovation to the heartburn OTC category while still delivering quality, affordable store-brand products to consumers. Perrigo will continue to invest in these types of opportunities, where national brand alternatives do not currently exist. Our marketing and regulatory teams are leading innovation to drive growth and meet the needs of consumers, patients and families."

According to IRI, retail sales of omeprazole (as an active ingredient) are more than $600 million for the last 12 months, when combining store brand and the nationally advertised brand, Prilosec OTC.

Perrigo Company plc, a leading global healthcare company, delivers value to its customers and consumers by providing quality affordable healthcare products.

Dexcel Pharma is a privately-held, international specialty pharmaceutical company based in Israel.