Pfizer's heartburn treatment Nexium Control (esomeprazole) has been announced as the General Healthcare Product of the Year in the 2016 Consumer Survey of Product Innovation.

The annoucement comes nearly a year after the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) became available for purchase without a prescription, following its reclassification from a POM to a GSL medicine by the MHRA in February 2015.

More than 12,000 consumers voted in the Product of the Year survey, which is conducted by leading market information group, TNS.

Kristie Sourial, senior medical manager for Nexium Control, said: “We are proud to see Nexium Control recognised as an example of a new product which helps to meet the needs of UK consumers, eight million of which are frequent heartburn sufferers.

"Allowing frequent heartburn sufferers to have greater access to treatments with a long tolerability history, supports current UK government objectives around increasing appropriate self-management of conditions and helps more people take better control of their symptoms without the need to see a GP unless symptoms persist.

"Furthermore, greater accessibility to OTC medicines like PPIs, helps to reduce pressure on the NHS by allowing people to effectively self-manage common conditions when appropriate.”