Content about Generics

HAWTHORNE, N.Y. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic over-the-counter treatment for allergies made by Taro Pharmaceutical Industries.

Taro announced Monday the approval of cetirizine hydrochloride oral solution.

The drug, a generic version of Johnson & Johnson’s children’s Zyrtec, is used to relieve symptoms of indoor and outdoor allergies and is available in a sugar-free bubblegum flavor.

PITTSBURGH — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for epilepsy made by Mylan.

Mylan said Monday that the FDA had approved its divalproex sodium capsules in the 125-mg strength. The drug is a generic version of Abbott’s Depakote Sprinkle capsules and is used to treat certain types of epileptic seizures.

Divalproex sodium capsules had sales of about $89 million during the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.

The $290 billion that poor medication adherence costs the U.S. economy every year cuts across every imaginable disease state, but one in which it can be particularly problematic is mental health.


DUBLIN — Sandoz is looking to market a generic version of a Shire drug for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Cancer drugs are expected to see sharp increases in spending and use by 2013, according to the latest drug trend report by pharmacy benefit manager Medco Health Solutions.

The overall drug trend for 2010 was 3.7%, lowered by higher rates of generic drug dispensing; more than 71% of drugs dispensed were generics. Specialty drugs, mostly branded biologics, accounted for 70.1% of the overall drug trend, with especially strong growth in cancer drugs, whose drug trend reached 21.2%.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo on Monday announced that it has received final approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its abbreviated new drug application for over-the-counter ranitidine 150 (regular and cool mint), a generic version of Zantac 150.

Zantac 150 has annual sales of approximately $110 million, as measured by SymphonyIRI Group, Perrigo reported.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has launched a generic drug for treating post-operative inflammation in patients who have undergone cataract extraction, the company said Monday.

Mylan announced the launch of bromfenac ophthalmic solution in the 0.09% strength, for twice-daily administration, under a development and supply agreement with Coastal Pharmaceuticals.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has launched a version of a drug used to treat schizophrenia, the company said Friday.

Mylan announced the launch of risperidone orally disintegrating tablets in the 0.5-mg, 1-mg, 2-mg, 3-mg and 4-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Johnson & Johnson’s Risperdal M-Tab. Various versions of risperidone orally disintegrating tablets had sales of about $61 million in 2010, according to IMS Health.

NEW YORK — Patients taking cardiovascular drugs may become less adherent if they have to see multiple physicians and make frequent trips to the pharmacy, according to a new study published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston and CVS Caremark analyzed data from 1.8 million patients taking statins and 1.5 million taking angiotensin receptor blockers or angiotensin-converting enzymes from between June 2006 and May 2007.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s annual meeting of stockholders held Wednesday morning was an emotional and momentous occasion for the company as it marked the official retirement of Tom Ryan, former chairman and CEO, and the beginning of a new chapter as Larry Merlo takes the reigns as CEO.

WASHINGTON — The National Consumers League and the U.S. surgeon general are launching a new campaign to educate patients about the risks of not properly taking their medications, the organization said.

MADISON, Miss. — Cypress Pharmaceuticals has launched a generic version of an eye care drug made by Boehringer Ingelheim and marketed by Allergan, the company said.

Cypress announced the launch of epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 0.05%, a generic version of Elestat; BI owns the trademark to Elestat and licenses rights to the drug to Allergan. Elestat is used to relieve itching of the eyes resulting from allergic conjunctivitis.