Cardiome Pharma Corp.,a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of new therapies, has received the Turkish Ministry of Health approval for its Brinavess (vernakalant intravenous) for rapid conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm in adults. The Turkish Ministry of Health oversees the regulation of medicines in Turkey.

“We are pleased to receive approval for Brinavess in Turkey,” said Karim Lalji, Cardiome’s chief commercial officer. “This decision confirms Cardiome’s commitment to pursue Brinavess approvals beyond the EU region. We will seek a local distribution partnership in this key market in order to optimize the commercialization and launch and make Brinavess available for the benefit of patients suffering from AF.”

Turkey is a significant emerging market in the pharmaceutical industry. According to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industry and Associations Pharmaceutical Industry Report, total sales for the pharmaceutical market in Turkey totaled €7.2B1 in 2011.