Firstly, just reminding people that GSK, rather than Novartis, is now responsible for OTC Voltaren.
It looks to me like topical diclofenac is sold OTC in China because I can see that Voltaren is listed as one of the Consumer Health (OTC) products on the GSK China website. Also, it’s definitely sold OTC in Hong Kong.
I note from an article written a couple of years ago that diclofenac (oral) is the most commonly used NSAID in hospitals in China and its popularity has huge public health implications. It was calculated that if just 1% of China's population took oral diclofenac, based on the relative risk calculations, it could cause 14,000 additional unintended deaths.
A good reason, I'd think, for shifting to topical diclo where possible.
POH Price at posting:
1.7¢ Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Held
