Belgium Says ICN Can Sell Antiviral Drug to Treat Flu

ICN Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Tuesday that the Belgian health ministry has authorized the company to market the antiviral drug Virazole in aerosol form for the treatment of influenza A and B infections in infants and adults.

The drug may be used to treat several thousand cases annually, said Jack Sholl, a spokesman for ICN, which makes pharmaceuticals, biotechnology research supplies and medical diagnostic products.

Sholl said more than 20 other countries have given similar approvals, but Belgium is the first in Western Europe.

The company is planning to seek U.S. approval for the drug, he said, but has not filed yet.

Virazole is marketed in Belgium for the treatment of infants and young children hospitalized with severe lower respiratory tract infection caused by some viruses.

The product will be marketed in Belgium by ICN’s pharmaceutical manufacturing and marketing subsidiary, SPI Pharmaceuticals, under license to the Belgian company, Sanico N.V.