Germany-based Sandoz Inc has shipped pantoprazole sodium for injection, 40mg to Civica Rx, a US-based non-profit generic drug manufacturer, to supply the hospitals it serves, it was reported on Monday.

This move is part of a multiyear collaboration to help decrease supply shortages, with various other medicines that are on the way before the end of the year.

The product is the first Sandoz medicine to ship to Civica since entering into the contract in July. It is a proton pump inhibitor indicated in adults for the short-term treatment (seven to 10 days) of gastroesophageal reflux disease, associated with a history of erosive esophagitis. Sandoz previously stated that it will provide six injectable medicines under the Civica private label to its 1,200 US hospitals. The contract is being expanded to include an additional medicine to regulate blood pressure, which is frequently utilised to treat COVID-19 patients in hospitals.