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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.


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.


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.

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.

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).

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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).