The Perrigo Company announced that it has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market over-the-counter coated nicotine polacrilex gum USP, 2 mg and 4 mg cinnamon flavour.

The product will be marketed under store brand labels and is comparable to GlaxoSmithKline’s Nicorette Cinnamon Surge coated gum, which is a stop smoking aid.

“This approval of coated cinnamon nicotine gum extends our leading store brand position. The expanded  range of smoking cessation products  also includes coated mint-flavoured gum, coated fruit wave, uncoated gum and lozenges,” said Joseph C. Papa, Perrigo’s chairman and chief executive officer.

Nicorette Cinnamon Surge gum is selling at an annual rate estimated at over $40 million at  all retail outlets.  First shipments are expected to ship this fall.

Perrigo Company is a leading global healthcare supplier that develops,  manufactures and distributes OTC and generic prescription (Rx) pharmaceuticals, infant formulas, nutritional products, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and pharmaceutical and medical diagnostic products.