Content about Generic drug

February 13, 2013
Generic Drug Report 2013

The generic drug tidal wave became a tsunami in 2012, with some of the world's top-selling pharmaceuticals swamped by generic competition, and health plan payers scrambling to reap billions of dollars in financial savings.

The generic drug tidal wave became a tsunami in 2012, with some of the world's top-selling pharmaceuticals swamped by generic competition, and health plan payers scrambling to reap billions of dollars in financial savings.

 

November 19, 2012
Generic Drug Report 2012

The year 2012 is coming to an end, and it's been a big year for generic drugs. It's the year that the most lucrative drug of all time became commoditized. It's the year that Watson bought Actavis for $5.6 billion. And it's the year the FDA released draft guidance for biosimilars regulations. All of these events speak to some of the most important trends in the world of generics — trends that are often interrelated.

The year 2012 is coming to an end, and it's been a big year for generic drugs. It's the year that the most lucrative drug of all time became commoditized. It's the year that Watson bought Actavis for $5.6 billion. And it's the year the FDA released draft guidance for biosimilars regulations. All of these events speak to some of the most important trends in the world of generics — trends that are often interrelated.

 

May 22, 2013
Par ships authorized generic cardiovascular drug

Generic drug maker Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has started shipping an authorized generic version of a heart-disease medication made by AstraZeneca.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Generic drug maker Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has started shipping an authorized generic version of a heart-disease medication made by AstraZeneca.

Par said it had entered into an agreement with AstraZeneca to supply authorized generic Atacand (candesartan cilexetil) and had begun shipping the drug in the 4 mg, 8 mg, 16 mg and 32 mg strengths. Atacand has annual sales of about $113 million, according to IMS Health, and is used to treat certain kinds of heart failure and high blood pressure in children and adults.

May 21, 2013
Impax ships authorized generic version of Zomig

Impax Labs has launched an authorized generic drug for migraine headaches under a partnership with AstraZeneca, Impax said.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Impax Labs has launched an authorized generic drug for migraine headaches under a partnership with AstraZeneca, Impax said.

Impax said its generics division, Global Pharmaceuticals, began shipping authorized generic zolmitriptan tablets and orally disintegrating tablets in the 2.5 mg and 5 mg strengths. The drug is a version of AstraZeneca's Zomig.

Zomig had sales of about $196 million during the 12-month period that ended in April, according to IMS Health.

May 13, 2013
GPhA promotes lobbyist

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association has promoted Jason Money to associate VP federal government affairs, the trade group said Monday.

WASHINGTON — The Generic Pharmaceutical Association has promoted Jason Money to associate VP federal government affairs, the trade group said Monday.

Money, who has worked for the GPhA for six years, was previously the organization's senior director for federal affairs. In the new position, he will continue lobbying on behalf of the generic drug industry in Congress.

May 10, 2013
Actavis in talks to combine with Warner Chilcott

Actavis is looking into the possibility of buying Warner Chilcott, the generic drug maker said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Actavis is looking into the possibility of buying Warner Chilcott, the generic drug maker said Friday.

Actavis, the world's third-largest generic drug maker, said it had entered into early-stage discussions with Warner Chilcott about a potential combination of the two, but that no agreement had been reached, and that it wouldn't issue further comment about the matter.

May 9, 2013
Generic use reached 84% in 2012, study finds

Declining use overall of healthcare services drove down spending on medicines in the United States by 3.5% per capita last year, according to a new study.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Declining use overall of healthcare services drove down spending on medicines in the United States by 3.5% per capita last year, according to a new study.

May 9, 2013
OxyContin patent expires, fears of abuse return

The November 2011 expiration of Pfizer's patent on the cholesterol drug Lipitor and Ranbaxy Labs' release of the generic version received significant play in the media, particularly due to the theretofore status of Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) as the drug with the highest sales in the country, $7.7 billion in the United States, according to healthcare analytics firm IMS Health.

The November 2011 expiration of Pfizer's patent on the cholesterol drug Lipitor and Ranbaxy Labs' release of the generic version received significant play in the media, particularly due to the theretofore status of Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) as the drug with the highest sales in the country, $7.7 billion in the United States, according to healthcare analytics firm IMS Health.

May 6, 2013
Florida legislature passes biosimilar substitution bill

Florida's state legislature approved a bill last week that will allow pharmacists to substitute biosimilars for brand name biotech drugs.

NEW YORK — Florida's state legislature approved a bill last week that will allow pharmacists to substitute biosimilars for brand name biotech drugs.

The bill, which was approved last Tuesday and is scheduled to take effect on July 1, institutes requirements for pharmacists to substitute biosimilars when they are determined to be biosimilar to and interchangeable with the brand name product, while also requiring the state board of pharmacy to maintain a current list of interchangeable products.

May 2, 2013
Rite Aid comps decrease amid earlier Easter, new generics

Rite Aid's same-store sales decreased 4% in April compared with April 2012 due to an earlier Easter and introductions of new generic drugs, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's same-store sales decreased 4% in April compared with April 2012 due to an earlier Easter and introductions of new generic drugs, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

The numbers released Thursday included a 3.5% decrease in sales on the front end and a 4.2% decrease in pharmacy sales, but the pharmacy figure included a 4.54% negative effect due to new generics. Same-store prescription count decreased by 0.2%.

Total sales for the month were $1.902 billion, a 4.6% decrease over April 2012's $1.993 billion.

April 30, 2013
Aurobindo receives FDA approval for hypertension, antibiotic drugs

The Food and Drug Administration has approved two generic drugs made by Aurobindo Pharma, the drug maker said.

HYDERABAD — The Food and Drug Administration has approved two generic drugs made by Aurobindo Pharma, the drug maker said.

The company announced Tuesday the approval of quinapril tablets in the 5-mg, 10-mg, 20-mg and 40-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Pfizer's Accupril and is used to treat high blood pressure. Various versions of the drug had sales of about $49 million during the 12-month period ending in September, according to IMS Health.

April 26, 2013
Actavis can launch generic OxyContin in January 2014 under settlement with Purdue

Generic drug maker Actavis is settling a patent-infringement suit with Purdue Pharma concerning the opioid painkiller OxyContin, Actavis said, saying it expected to make more than $100 million in the deal between 2014 and 2015.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Actavis is settling a patent-infringement suit with Purdue Pharma concerning the opioid painkiller OxyContin, Actavis said Friday, saying it expected to make more than $100 million in the deal between 2014 and 2015.

April 24, 2013
Hospira looks to U.S. as it marks European biosimilar milestone

Generic drug maker Hospira marked its fifth year marketing knock-off versions of biotech drugs in Europe Wednesday as it presented at the 2013 Biotechnology Industry Organization International Convention this week.

CHICAGO — Generic drug maker Hospira marked its fifth year marketing knock-off versions of biotech drugs in Europe Wednesday as it presented at the 2013 Biotechnology Industry Organization International Convention this week.

The drug maker said it delivered more than 5 million doses of biosimilar medicines to patients in Europe and Australia. The convention includes multiple sessions devoted to such topics as biosimilar regulatory approval, manufacturing and market formation, the company said.

April 21, 2013
Future of pay-for-delay in hands of SCOTUS

Last month, the Supreme Court heard Federal Trade Commission v. Actavis, which could impact the future of the generic drug industry at a time when 80% of all prescriptions dispensed in the United States are generic.

Last month, the Supreme Court heard Federal Trade Commission v. Actavis, which could impact the future of the generic drug industry at a time when 80% of all prescriptions dispensed in the United States are generic.

April 19, 2013
GPhA welcomes Bipartisan Policy Center proposal to save billions through increased use of generics

A report released yesterday by the Bipartisan Policy Center, entitled “A Bipartisan Rx for Patient-Centered Care and System-Wide Cost Containment,” contains a smart, forward-looking and no-cost recommendation that could save the government billions, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association said.

WASHINGTON — A report released yesterday by the Bipartisan Policy Center, entitled “A Bipartisan Rx for Patient-Centered Care and System-Wide Cost Containment,” contains a smart, forward-looking and no-cost recommendation that could save the government billions, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association said today.

April 19, 2013
Obama budget provides a mixed bag for health care

President Barack Obama sent his $3.8 trillion budget proposal to Congress on April 10, and the plan includes a number of provisions designed to cut spending on health care and promote health and wellness.

Overall, the budget is something of a mixed bag for the healthcare industry. While it would provide incentives for expanding the use of generic drugs, for example, it would also cut spending on Medicaid that have drawn opposition from pharmacy retailers, and even generic drug makers disagree with some of its provisions for that industry.

President Barack Obama sent his $3.8 trillion budget proposal to Congress on April 10, and the plan includes a number of provisions designed to cut spending on health care and promote health and wellness.

Overall, the budget is something of a mixed bag for the healthcare industry. While it would provide incentives for expanding the use of generic drugs, for example, it would also cut spending on Medicaid that have drawn opposition from pharmacy retailers, and even generic drug makers disagree with some of its provisions for that industry.

April 17, 2013
Sandoz launches generic cardiovascular disease drug

Generic drug maker Sandoz has launched a generic version of a drug used to treat high blood pressure and angina.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Generic drug maker Sandoz has launched a generic version of a drug used to treat high blood pressure and angina.

The company, a subsidiary of Swiss drug maker Novartis, announced the launch of diltiazem hydrochloride extended-release capsules, a generic version of Forest Labs' Tiazac. Sandoz is launching the drug in the 120-mg, 180-mg, 240-mg, 300-mg, 360-mg and 420-mg strengths.

Various versions of the drug had sales of about $174 million in 2012, according to IMS Health.

 

April 16, 2013
FDA approves new labeling for OxyContin

The Food and Drug Administration will not approve generic versions of Purdue Pharma's painkiller OxyContin based on earlier versions of the drug that did not include features to thwart abuse, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration will not approve generic versions of Purdue Pharma's painkiller OxyContin based on earlier versions of the drug that did not include features to thwart abuse, the agency said Tuesday.

The FDA announced that it approved updated labeling for reformulated OxyContin (oxycodone) extended-release tablets indicating that it has physical and chemical properties designed to deter drug abusers from crushing or dissolving the pills in order to inject or snort them.

April 15, 2013
Generic drug trade group praises Obama budget, expresses reservations

Generic makers heralded the fiscal year 2014 budget proposed last week by the Obama administration for its embrace of generic drugs, but were critical of its provisions on patent settlements and rebates.

WASHINGTON — Generic makers heralded the fiscal year 2014 budget proposed last week by the Obama administration for its embrace of generic drugs, but were critical of its provisions on patent settlements and rebates.

April 11, 2013
CVS Caremark releases annual insights report on drug spend

The increased availability of generics combined with CVS Caremark's generic dispensing rate of 77.4% helped reduce spending on traditional medications by 3.6% for the company's commercial clients, according to its newly released annual insights report.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The increased availability of generics combined with CVS Caremark's generic dispensing rate of 77.4% helped reduce spending on traditional medications by 3.6% for the company's commercial clients, according to its newly released annual insights report, which reviews drug trend and highlights key issues in pharmacy care.

CVS Caremark's GDR is the result of two elements.  First, 2012 marked a high point in the flood of generic launches, with the estimated market value of brands that lost their patents in 2012 exceeding $35 billion. 

April 11, 2013
Reports: Alberta government to give pharmacists allowance in preparation for generic pricing changes

The government of Canada's Alberta province will pay pharmacists $1 for each prescription filled as part of a one-year transition program for which it will spend $24 million, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — The government of Canada's Alberta province will pay pharmacists C$1 for each prescription filled as part of a one-year transition program for which it will spend $24 million, according to published reports.

April 9, 2013
Dr. Reddy's to move North America headquarters

Generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs will move into a new North America headquarters and set up new laboratory space later this year, the company said Tuesday.

HYDERABAD, India — Generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs will move into a new North America headquarters and set up new laboratory space later this year, the company said Tuesday.

The India-based company said it had entered into two lease agreements for a new headquarters and research-and-development center in Princeton, N.J. These include a 75,500-sq.-ft. office space at 107 College Rd East and a 31,000-sq.-ft. office and laboratory at 303 College Rd East.

April 4, 2013
Dr. Reddy's launches generic osteoporosis drug

Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched zoledronic acid injection in the 5 mg-per-100-mL strength, the Indian generic drug maker Thursday.

HYDERABAD, India — Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched zoledronic acid injection in the 5 mg-per-100-mL strength, the Indian generic drug maker Thursday.

The drug, launched following its approval by the Food and Drug Administration, is a generic version of Novartis' Reclast and is used to treat osteoporosis. Reclast had sales of $355 million during the 12-month period that ended in February, according to IMS Health.

April 2, 2013
Dr. Reddy's appoints new chairman, COO

Indian generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs has appointed G.V. Prasad as chairman of the company, Dr. Reddy's said.

HYDERABAD, India — Indian generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs has appointed G.V. Prasad as chairman of the company, Dr. Reddy's said Tuesday.

Prasad is currently vice chairman and CEO and will continue as chairman and CEO.

Meanwhile, Satish Reddy has been appointed vice chairman in addition to his current role as managing director and COO.

 

April 2, 2013
Federal court rules in favor of Actavis in generic asthma drug case

A court has ruled in favor of generic drug maker Actavis concerning its generic version of a drug to treat asthma in children, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — A court has ruled in favor of generic drug maker Actavis concerning its generic version of a drug to treat asthma in children, the company said.