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September 18, 2012

It’s a little hard not to say “Oh, how the mighty have fallen” when a retailer announces that it will give away for free what was once the world’s top-selling drug. But for retailers, it also makes good business sense.


It’s a little hard not to say “Oh, how the mighty have fallen” when a retailer announces that it will give away for free what was once the world’s top-selling drug. But for retailers, it also makes good business sense.


September 18, 2012

Over the last few years of DSN’s coverage of the impending patent cliff and how it would affect the generic drug industry, IMS Health VP industry relations Doug Long predicted that the gradual commoditization of primary care drugs — long the lifeblood of generic drug makers — would lead to consolidation of the industry.


Over the last few years of DSN’s coverage of the impending patent cliff and how it would affect the generic drug industry, IMS Health VP industry relations Doug Long predicted that the gradual commoditization of primary care drugs — long the lifeblood of generic drug makers — would lead to consolidation of the industry.


September 18, 2012

Generic drug makers Hospira, Sagent Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries have launched generic versions of a chemotherapy drug made by Sanofi, the three companies said last month.


NEW YORK — Generic drug makers Hospira, Sagent Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries have launched generic versions of a chemotherapy drug made by Sanofi, the three companies said last month.


September 18, 2012

2012 is turning out to be a pretty important year for generic drugs, important enough that some of the things happening over the past several months have begged comparison to 1984, probably the biggest milestone year for the industry.


2012 is turning out to be a pretty important year for generic drugs, important enough that some of the things happening over the past several months have begged comparison to 1984, probably the biggest milestone year for the industry.


September 18, 2012

For branded drug makers, the pharmaceutical patent cliff has never loomed higher or steeper. The exposure of so many of the world’s biggest-selling medicines to generic competition for the first time is redefining the pricing model for many of the most widely prescribed classes of pharmaceuticals.

For branded drug makers, the pharmaceutical patent cliff has never loomed higher or steeper. The exposure of so many of the world’s biggest-selling medicines to generic competition for the first time is redefining the pricing model for many of the most widely prescribed classes of pharmaceuticals — reducing costs for health plans, payers and patients; scrambling drug makers’ balance sheets; and potentially boosting both drug utilization and adherence rates as reduced out-of-pocket costs induce more patients to fill their prescriptions.


September 11, 2012

Generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic drug for treating high blood pressure, the company said.

HYDERABAD, India — Generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic drug for treating high blood pressure, the company said.

Dr. Reddy's announced the launch of metoprolol succinate extended-release tablets in the 25-mg, 50-mg, 100-mg and 200-mg strengths. The drug will be available in bottle counts of 100 and 500.

The drug is a generic version of AstraZeneca's Toprol-XL, branded and generic versions of which had sales of about $1.13 billion during the 12-month period that ended in June, according to IMS Health.

September 4, 2012

In what could symbolize the so-called "patent cliff" that an executive from healthcare market research firm IMS Health spoke of at a recent trade show, a regional mass merchandise chain is taking what used to be the world's top-selling drug and giving it away for free.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — In what could symbolize the so-called "patent cliff" that an executive from healthcare market research firm IMS Health spoke of at a recent trade show, a regional mass merchandise chain is taking what used to be the world's top-selling drug and giving it away for free.

August 28, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration has determined that generic drug maker Caraco is in compliance with relevant paragraphs of the consent decree and may resume operations at its manufacturing facility and packaging sites in Detriot and Wixom, Mich., Caraco's parent company Sun Pharmaceutical Industries said.

MUMBAI, India — The Food and Drug Administration has determined that generic drug maker Caraco is in compliance with relevant paragraphs of the consent decree and may resume operations at its manufacturing facility and packaging sites in Detriot and Wixom, Mich., Caraco's parent company Sun Pharmaceutical Industries said.

During their inspection, the FDA reviewed the certification reports for heart failure treatment Carvedilol USP, as well as antibiotic Paramomycin USP, and determined Caraco may resume production of only these two drugs.

August 17, 2012

Ranbaxy Labs has launched an authorized generic version of a diabetes drug made by Takeda Pharmaceutical, Ranbaxy said Friday.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Ranbaxy Labs has launched an authorized generic version of a diabetes drug made by Takeda Pharmaceutical, Ranbaxy said Friday.

Ranbaxy announced the launch, through subsidiary Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals and under an agreement with Takeda, of pioglitazone hydrochloride tablets, an authorized generic version of Takeda's Actos. An authorized generic is a branded drug marketed at a reduced price under its generic name, typically by a third-party company operating under contract with the original branded drug's manufacturer.

August 15, 2012

Watson Pharmaceuticals is suing the Food and Drug Administration, alleging that an agency decision would improperly delay its release of a generic drug for diabetes, the company said Wednesday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals is suing the Food and Drug Administration, alleging that an agency decision would improperly delay its release of a generic drug for diabetes, the company said Wednesday.

August 14, 2012

Consolidated sales for generic drug maker Ranbaxy Labs totaled $588 million in the second quarter ended June 30, a 28% rise over the year-ago period, the company said.

GURGAON, India — Consolidated sales for generic drug maker Ranbaxy Labs totaled $588 million in the second quarter ended June 30, a 28% rise over the year-ago period, the company said.

The drug maker reported that North American sales soared 140% over the year-ago period to a total of $272 million, aided by strong base business. U.S. sales for Ranbaxy were $255 million for the quarter, thanks to strong base business and exclusivity sales of such drugs as atorvastatin and atorvastatin and amlodipine (Lipitor and Caduet, respectively).

August 13, 2012

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries will take Taro Pharmaceutical Industries private, under a merger agreement between the two companies announced Sunday.

MUMBAI, India — Sun Pharmaceutical Industries will take Taro Pharmaceutical Industries private, under a merger agreement between the two companies announced Sunday.

Sun, based in India, has sought to buy Israel-based Taro since 2007 and owns about 77.5% of the latter's shares.

After the merger is complete, Taro will become a privately held company and wholly owned subsidiary of Sun. Taro shareholders will receive $39.50 per share.

July 19, 2012

Israeli drug maker Taro Pharmaceutical Industries has rejected India-based Sun Pharmaceutical Industries' takeover bid, Taro said Thursday.

HAWTHORNE, N.Y. — Israeli drug maker Taro Pharmaceutical Industries has rejected India-based Sun Pharmaceutical Industries' takeover bid, Taro said Thursday.

Taro said its board of directors unanimously voted to reject a $24.50-per-share offer Sun made on Oct. 18, 2011. Taro began listing its shares on the New York Stock Exchange in March.

Sun has sought to buy Taro since 2007.


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July 18, 2012

Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of a popular cholesterol drug.

HYDERABAD, India — Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of a popular cholesterol drug.

The company announced Wednesday the launch of atorvastatin calcium tablets in the 10-mg, 20-mg, 40-mg and 80-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Pfizer's Lipitor, which had sales of slightly more than $8 billion during the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.

July 10, 2012

India-based drug maker Ranbaxy Labs is looking to expand sales in the U.S. market, according to published reports.

PLAINSBORO TOWNSHIP, N.J. — India-based drug maker Ranbaxy Labs is looking to expand sales in the U.S. market, according to published reports.

The Associated Press said Ranbaxy CEO Arun Sawhney announced his intentions to position the company where it will be first (or one of the first) on U.S. market with just-approved generic drugs, and also is working to expand generic sales in emerging markets, such as India, China, Brazil and Russia. "The U.S., as a total business, will remain the most important to us," Sawhney was quoted as saying.

June 21, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a branded acne drug made by Ranbaxy Labs, the drug maker said. Ranbaxy announced the FDA approval of Absorica (isotretinoin), a drug for treating severe recalcitrant nodular acne.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a branded acne drug made by Ranbaxy Labs, the drug maker said. Ranbaxy announced the FDA approval of Absorica (isotretinoin), a drug for treating severe recalcitrant nodular acne. The company expects to launch it in the United States in fourth quarter 2012 under an agreement with Canada-based Cipher Pharmaceuticals.


June 7, 2012

Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a drug for treating Parkinson's disease, the company said Thursday.

HYDERABAD, India — Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a drug for treating Parkinson's disease, the company said Thursday.

Dr. Reddy's introduced ropinirole hydrochloride extended-release tablets in the 2-mg, 4-mg, 6-mg, 8-mg and 12-mg strengths. The 2-mg, 4-mg and 6-mg strengths will be available in 30- and 90-count bottle sizes, while the other two strengths will be available in 30-count bottles.

The drug is a generic version of GlaxoSmithKline's Requip XL, which had sales of $58 million during the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.

June 6, 2012

A generic drug maker in India and a German pharmaceutical company will collaborate to develop biosimilars.

HYDERABAD, India — A generic drug maker in India and a German pharmaceutical company will collaborate to develop biosimilars.

Dr. Reddy's Labs and Merck KGaA subsidiary Merck Serono announced a partnership to develop biosimilar cancer treatments, most of them monoclonal antibodies, for global markets. Based in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck KGaA operates in the United States under the name EMD to distinguish itself from U.S. drug maker Merck.

May 30, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a branded acne drug made by Ranbaxy Labs, the drug maker said.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a branded acne drug made by Ranbaxy Labs, the drug maker said.

Ranbaxy announced the FDA approval of Absorica (isotretinoin), a drug for treating severe recalcitrant nodular acne. The company expects to launch Absorica in the United States in fourth quarter 2012 under an agreement with Canada-based Cipher Pharmaceuticals.

May 29, 2012

Generic drug maker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries appointed a new chairman as the company announced big jumps in fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2012 sales and profits.

MUMBAI, India — Generic drug maker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries appointed a new chairman as the company announced big jumps in fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2012 sales and profits.

The drug maker announced the appointment of former Teva Pharmaceutical Industries president and CEO Israel Makov as chairman. Makov, who began working for Teva in 1995, and led it as president and CEO from 2002 to 2007, is widely credited with that company becoming the world's largest generic drug maker and one of the world's largest drug makers overall.

May 21, 2012

Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of a popular over-the-counter drug for treating heartburn, the company said Monday.

HYDERABAD, India — Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of a popular over-the-counter drug for treating heartburn, the company said Monday.

Dr. Reddy's announced the launch of lansoprazole delayed-release capsules in the 15-mg strength in pack sizes of 14, 28 and 42. The drug is a generic version of Novartis Consumer Health's Prevacid 24 HR capsule brand, which had sales of $115 million during the 12-month period ended in March, according to SymphonyIRI InfoScan Reviews.

May 18, 2012

Generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of a drug used to prevent clotting of the blood.

HYDERABAD, India — Generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of a drug used to prevent clotting of the blood.

Dr. Reddy's announced Friday the launch of clopidogrel tablets in the 75-mg and 300-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Plavix, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi. As one of the first companies to submit a completed regulatory application for the 300 mg strength of the drug, Dr. Reddy's received 180 days of market exclusivity for it.

May 15, 2012

First-quarter consolidated sales for generic drug maker Ranbaxy Labs totaled $736 million, the company reported last week.

GURGAON, India — First-quarter consolidated sales for generic drug maker Ranbaxy Labs totaled $736 million, the company reported last week.

The company said the quarter's sales marked a 55% increase over the year-ago period, when sales totaled $474 million. U.S. sales for the company totaled $416 million, up from $170 million in first quarter 2011. Ranbaxy attributed its sales boost to the launch of generic Lipitor (atorvastatin), as well as sales of generic Caduet (amlodipine and atorvastatin).

May 15, 2012

Pfizer apparently is relenting on its attempt to drive sales of its top cholesterol drug as several new generic versions look set to enter the market, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Pfizer apparently is relenting on its attempt to drive sales of its top cholesterol drug as several new generic versions look set to enter the market, according to published reports.

The Associated Press reported that Pfizer was "quietly" giving up on the drug Lipitor (atorvastatin) after an $87 million campaign to continue marketing the drug despite generic competition.

April 24, 2012

Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of an Eli Lilly drug used to treat psychiatric disorders, the company said Tuesday.

HYDERABAD, India — Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of an Eli Lilly drug used to treat psychiatric disorders, the company said Tuesday.

Dr. Reddy's announced the launch of olanzapine tablets in the 2.5-mg, 5-mg, 7.5-mg, 10-mg and 15-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Zyprexa, used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Generic and branded versions of the drug had sales of about $3.28 billion during the 12-month period ended in January, according to IMS Health.