LONDON - Europe's drugs watchdog has recommended that restrictions on the use of UCB's drug Neupro for Parkinson's disease and restless leg syndrome should be lifted, boosting sales prospects for the medicine.

A year ago supply of the drug was limited to patients already on the medicine due to the discovery of crystallisation problems with the product, which is applied as a transdermal patch.

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) said on Friday its Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) was now satisfied UCB had established a cold-chain supply system that met quality standards.

The positive opinion of the EMEA's CHMP is an important step towards making Neupro available to all patients with Parkinson's disease and to patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS), said Troy Cox, UCB's senior vice president for CNS operations. (Reporting by Ben Hirschler; Editing by Greg Mahlich)