Content about Generic drug

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.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is hoping to be the first to market a generic version of a drug used to treat ulcerative colitis, the company said.

Watson announced that it had filed with the Food and Drug Administration through a subsidiary for melamine delayed-release tablets, a generic version of Shire Development's Lialda, in the 1.2-g strength. Watson's filing included a Paragraph IV certification, a legal assertion that Lialda's patent protection is invalid, unenforceable or won't be infringed.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has released a version of a drug used to treat bacterial infections, the company said.

Mylan announced the launch of doxycycline hyclate delayed-release tablets in the 150-mg strength. The launch follows a decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey that Mylan's product did not infringe patents covering the drug's branded version, Doryx. Warner Chilcott, which markets Doryx, had brought the case.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of an authorized generic version of a drug used to lower blood glucose in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

WASHINGTON — A trade organization representing generic drug manufacturers announced Thursday its latest solution to the problem of drug shortages.

PITTSBURGH — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for lipid disorders made by Mylan, the company said Friday.

Mylan announced the approval and launch of fluvastatin capsules in the 20-mg and 40-mg strengths, a generic version of Novartis' Lescol. The drug is used to treat hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia, as well as prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The drug had sales of $27.9 million in 2011, according to IMS Health.

CINCINNATI — Prasco Labs will market an authorized generic version of a drug used to treat diarrhea caused by a bacterial infection, the company said Wednesday.

Prasco announced that it had signed a deal with ViroPharma to market an authorized generic version of Vancocin (vancomycin hydrochloride) capsules in the 125-mg and 250-mg strengths. The drug is used to treat diarrhea related to Clostridium difficile infection.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — People ages 65 years and older reduced their volume of prescriptions, while those ages 19 to 25 years increased their use of prescription drugs as the healthcare-reform law allowed them to remain on their parents' insurance, according to a new report by IMS Health.

The report, "The Use of Medicines in the United States: Review of 2011," found that per capita spending on U.S. medicines grew by 0.5% as healthcare system spending reached $320 billion and new drug launches opened new treatment options for more than 20 million Americans.

NEW YORK — Three companies have launched generic versions of a psychiatric drug made by AstraZeneca following a court decision turning down the Anglo-Swedish drug maker's request for an injunction against the Food and Drug Administration's approval of the generics.

Dr. Reddy's Labs, Teva and Mylan announced Wednesday the launch of their respective versions of quetiapine fumarate tablets, generic formulations of AstraZeneca's Seroquel, in strengths ranging from 25 mg to 400 mg.

Increases in the prices of prescription drugs have far outpaced the rate of general inflation over the years, as increases in the prices of branded and specialty drugs have offset decreases in the prices of generics, according to a new report by AARP’s research arm.


The study, conducted by AARP’s Public Policy Institute, found that the cumulative change in drug prices from 2005 to 2009 was almost double the rate of inflation. As a result, the average annual cost of drug therapy continued to rise.


HAWTHORNE, N.Y. — Taro Pharmaceutical Industries will list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange, the Israel-based generic drug maker said Monday.

Starting Thursday, shares of Taro will trade on the exchange under the ticker symbol "TARO" and will concurrently cease to trade on the over-the-counter Pink Sheet markets.