Responding to my inquiry, the drug maker Novartis says that its COMT inhibitor entacapone, under the brand name Comtan, received FDA approval 20 October 1999 and may be expected on pharmacy shelves approximately 15 November 1999. Cheers, Joe -- J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 3527 Cody Road Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-5013