Health product giants Johnson & Johnson and Merck & Co. have announced a plan to market certain over-the-counter (otc) drugs co-operatively in Canada.

The companies have already entered into similar agreements in the u.s., as well as the u.k., France, Germany and Spain.

The joint venture resulting from the agreement will be called Johnson & Johnson-Merck Pharmaceuticals of Canada, and will be based in Guelph, Ont.

Products included in the marketing agreement include Merck's Frosst Canada's famotidine 10-milligram product (launched as Pepcid AC in other countries), which is used in the treatment of heartburn.

It has yet to get full otc approval in Canada, but that is expected later this year.

It was launched last year in the u.s. and has become the leading heartburn remedy there.

Also involved in the marketing agreement will be the Entrophen enteric coated asa product, which is used to reduce pain from arthritis; 222 analgesics, and Fleet Enema.

From Johnson & Johnson's McNeil Consumer products division, products such as Kaopectate antidiarrheal, Hismanal antihistamine and the Nicotrol nicotine cessation patch will be marketed through the joint venture.

The new entity will be presided over by Ian Lang, vice-president of sales and marketing at McNeil.

According to Lang, the goal of the joint venture is to take advantage of Merck's strong products, and Johnson & Johnson's market presence and capabilities.