Content about Combination drugs

March 26, 2013
NCPA among industry associations rejecting proposal to reschedule hydrocodone

The National Community Pharmacists Association called for the rejection of a proposal made by Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Mark Kirk, R.-Ill., to reschedule Vicodin and other hydrocodone-containing products from Schedule III to Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association last week called for the rejection of a proposal made by Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Mark Kirk, R.-Ill., to reschedule Vicodin and other hydrocodone-containing products from Schedule III to Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act.

March 8, 2013
Branded pain relief tablets battle for sales

With private label across analgesics up an estimated 11.3% to $1.7 billion, retailers are going to need to make some tough decisions as two internal analgesic powerhouses — McNeil's Tylenol and Novartis' Excedrin — make their way back onto market after respective recalls.

With private label across analgesics up an estimated 11.3% to $1.7 billion, retailers are going to need to make some tough decisions as two internal analgesic powerhouses — McNeil's Tylenol and Novartis' Excedrin — make their way back onto market after respective recalls. Within internal analgesic tablets, sales of store brand equivalents were up 15% off of a 2011 base of around $1.2 billion. The branded competition also were benefactors — both Pfizer's Advil and Bayer's Aleve generated more than $50 million in incremental sales on top of 2011 sales.

February 15, 2013
FDA approves Teva ADHD drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, the Israeli generic drug maker said.

JERUSALEM — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, the Israeli generic drug maker said.

February 12, 2013
Galderma drug for common skin condition becomes available

A topical medication made by Galderma Labs for treating melasma of the face is now available in pharmacies, Galderma said.

FORT WORTH, Texas — A topical medication made by Galderma Labs for treating melasma of the face is now available in pharmacies, Galderma said.

Tri-Luma (fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%), tretinoin 0.05%) is described as the only Food and Drug Administration-approved triple combination topical product for the short-term treatment of moderate to severe melasma. The chronic skin condition affects more than 7 million people in the United States.

February 11, 2013
Shire to pay Impax $48 million in authorized generic Adderall XR case

Generic drug maker Impax Labs has settled with Shire Labs over an authorized generic version of a Shire drug for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Impax said.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Generic drug maker Impax Labs has settled with Shire Labs over an authorized generic version of a Shire drug for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Impax said.

January 3, 2013
Teva announces inhaler with dose counter for bronchospasm

An inhaler for patients with bronchospasm that includes a dose counter has become available from Teva Respiratory, the company said Thursday.

NORTH WALES, Pa. — An inhaler for patients with bronchospasm that includes a dose counter has become available from Teva Respiratory, the company said Thursday.

The company, which is the branded respiratory division of Israeli drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, announced the available of ProAir HFA (i.e., albuterol sulfate), for patients aged 4 and older to prevent and treat bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. The inhaler received Food and Drug Administration approval in March 2012.

December 20, 2012
Mylan, Orion settle Parkinson's disease drug case

Generic drug maker Mylan has settled with Orion over a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease, Mylan said Thursday

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has settled with Orion over a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease, Mylan said Thursday.

The company said it reached a settlement with Orion to resolve patent litigation concerning a generic version of Orion's drug Comtan (entacapone) tablets in the 200-mg strength. The drug is used with levodopa-carbidopa therapy to treat Parkinson's patients who experience signs and symptoms of end-of-dose "wearing off."

December 12, 2012
Pfizer Consumer introduces Robitussin CoughCast, an online tracking tool capturing area cough activity

Pfizer Consumer Healthcare on Wednesday introduced Robitussin CoughCast, a new interactive tool that allows people to track cough activity in their local area.

MADISON, N.J. — Pfizer Consumer Healthcare on Wednesday introduced Robitussin CoughCast, a new interactive tool that allows people to track cough activity in their local area. 

According to the company, already this year nearly 18.2 million U.S. adults have experienced cold and flu symptoms, and more than 18 million have reported suffering from cough, making it one of the most highly reported symptoms.

November 29, 2012
Banishing blemishes

Ferndale Healthcare is looking to help beauty mavens banish blemishes — and shine — with its OC8 Adult Acne Treatment Gel, which hit the market this fall.


FERNDALE, Mich. — Ferndale Healthcare is looking to help beauty mavens banish blemishes — and shine — with its OC8 Adult Acne Treatment Gel, which hit the market this fall.


November 27, 2012
Wockhardt receives three FDA approvals

Indian generic drug maker Wockhardt received three new drug approvals from the Food and Drug Administration, agency records show.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Indian generic drug maker Wockhardt received three new drug approvals from the Food and Drug Administration, agency records show.

November 15, 2012
Branded generics transform the old into the new

In the classic Arabian Nights tale “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp,” the sorcerer who sold Aladdin the lamp containing the genie attempts to get it back by walking through the town where Aladdin and his wife live disguised as a merchant, trading “new lamps 
for old.” 


In the classic Arabian Nights tale “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp,” the sorcerer who sold Aladdin the lamp containing the genie attempts to get it back by walking through the town where Aladdin and his wife live disguised as a merchant, trading “new lamps 
for old.” 


Rubbing pill bottles isn’t likely to bring forth any genies ready to grant three wishes, but the idea of inputting something old and outputting something shiny and new is sort of the gist behind 
branded generics.


October 26, 2012
Novartis outsources production to bring back top-selling OTC brands to market

Progress at re-opening its manufacturing facility in Lincoln, Neb., has been slow-going, Novartis reported Thursday, but the company has contracted third-party manufacturers to resume production of Excedrin, Lamisil and Triaminic.

 BASEL, Switzerland — Progress at re-opening its manufacturing facility in Lincoln, Neb., has been slow-going, Novartis reported Thursday, but the company has contracted third-party manufacturers to resume production of Excedrin, Lamisil and Triaminic. First shipments to retailers were made in October. 

October 10, 2012
AccuDial launches line of Go-Green children's cough and cold products

AccuDial Pharmaceutical recently launched four products as part of its Go-Green pediatric liquid cough-cold lineup that features dosing information on a rotating label, a larger 6-point font and a dosing cup that's shrink-wrapped to the top of the container.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — AccuDial Pharmaceutical recently launched four products as part of its Go-Green pediatric liquid cough-cold lineup that features dosing information on a rotating label, a larger 6-point font and a dosing cup that's shrink-wrapped to the top of the container.

September 24, 2012
Sandoz launches authorized generic of Diovan HCT

Generic drug maker Sandoz has launched an authorized generic version of a drug used to treat hypertension.

NEW YORK — Generic drug maker Sandoz has launched an authorized generic version of a drug used to treat hypertension.

The generics division of Swiss drug maker Novartis announced the introduction of valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide tablets, a generic version of Novartis' Diovan HCT. Novartis will continue marketing the branded version of the drug, which had sales of $2.3 billion in 2011 together with Diovan (valsartan).

September 21, 2012
FDA approves Mylan hypertension drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a blood pressure medication made by Mylan.

PITTSBURGH — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a blood pressure medication made by Mylan.

The drug maker announced Friday the approval of valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide tablets in the 80-mg/12.5-mg, 160-mg/12.5-mg, 160-mg/25-mg, 320-mg/12.5-mg and 320-mg/25-mg strengths.

The drug, a generic version of Novartis' Diovan HCT, is used to treat high blood pressure, or hypertension, in patients who can't control their blood pressure with one drug or who are starting therapy and need multiple drugs.

September 18, 2012
BI launches Combivent Respimat

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals has launched a drug for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the company said Tuesday.

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals has launched a drug for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the company said Tuesday.

BI Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of Combivent Respimat (ipratropium bromide and albuterol), calling it a propellant-free inhaler that uses a slow-moving mist to deliver the same active ingredients as the Combivent metered dose inhaler, requiring one inhalation per dose, compared with Combivent MDI's two inhalations.

September 18, 2012
Legs made for walking

Earlier this summer Hyland’s introduced its Leg Cramps Ointment to complement its line of homeopathic Leg Cramps tablets. Expect the leg cramp market to grow.

LOS ANGELES — Earlier this summer Hyland’s introduced its Leg Cramps Ointment to complement its line of homeopathic Leg Cramps tablets. Expect the leg cramp market to grow. According to one study, about half of all seniors suffer from leg cramps — they’re more common in women (56%) than men (40%). And two drug classes with strong links to leg cramps include diuretics and the inhaled long-acting B2-agonists 
(e.g., Advair, Serevent, Symbicort).

September 14, 2012
FDA approves Lannett tension headache drug

The Food and Drug Administration has granted regulatory approval for a generic drug to treat tension headaches.

PHILADELPHIA — The Food and Drug Administration has granted regulatory approval for a generic drug to treat tension headaches.

Lannett announced the approval of butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine tablets in the 50-mg/325-mg/40-mg strength. the drug is a generic version of Watson Pharmaceuticals' Fioricet.

Branded and generic versions of the drug had sales of $30 million during the 12-month period ended in July, including $15 million for branded Fioricet. Lannett plans to start shipping its version next month, the company said.