"SOLON Fine Granules 20%": New Dosage Form for SOLON - 
a Drug for the Treatment of Gastritis and Gastric Ulcer

Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (President: Akira Uehara) will release "SOLON fine granules 20%" (generic name: sofalcone) on August 3, 2004 (distributor: Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.). Taisho received approval on February 9, 2004 to manufacture this drug, and the drug was listed on the National Health Insurance (NHI) price list on July 9. 

"SOLON fine granules 20%" is a new dosage form for Solon, which was originally released in March 1984 for the treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcer. Our unique manufacturing technology has reduced the required dose to 0.5 g, which is half the required dose for the current form of "SOLON fine granules". "SOLON fine granules 20%" has a spearmint flavor, which freshens the mouth and is expected to increase medication compliance in many patients.

We developed sofalcone, the active ingredient of the drug, as a pharmaceutical product by researching constituents of a Chinese herb, Sophora subprostrata, which has been used in China for the treatment of digestive disorders since ancient times. Solon protects and repairs the gastric mucosa by increasing endogenous prostaglandins. It is considered safe and effective for the treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcer. Other Solon products with different dosage forms are "SOLON capsule 100" and "SOLON tablets 50," which are marketed solely by Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.