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August 15, 2012
FDA approves Wockhardt enlarged prostate drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for enlarged prostate made by generic drug maker Wockhardt, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for enlarged prostate made by generic drug maker Wockhardt, the company said.

Wockhardt, based in Mumbai, India, announced the approval of alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets in the 10-mg strength, which is designed to treat enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The drug is a generic version of Sanofi's Uroxatral. Various versions of the drug have sales of about $81.5 million, according to IMS Health.

August 13, 2012
Sun to take Taro private

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries will take Taro Pharmaceutical Industries private, under a merger agreement between the two companies announced Sunday.

MUMBAI, India — Sun Pharmaceutical Industries will take Taro Pharmaceutical Industries private, under a merger agreement between the two companies announced Sunday.

Sun, based in India, has sought to buy Israel-based Taro since 2007 and owns about 77.5% of the latter's shares.

After the merger is complete, Taro will become a privately held company and wholly owned subsidiary of Sun. Taro shareholders will receive $39.50 per share.

August 6, 2012
Mylan launches Indian operations

Generic drug maker Mylan has begun commercial operations in India, focusing on drugs to treat HIV and AIDS, the company said Monday.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has begun commercial operations in India, focusing on drugs to treat HIV and AIDS, the company said Monday.

The company is launching 18 antiretroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS in India, which has the world's third-largest population of people with the disease, according to the National AIDS Control Organization.

July 18, 2012
Dr. Reddy's launches generic version of Lipitor

Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of a popular cholesterol drug.

HYDERABAD, India — Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of a popular cholesterol drug.

The company announced Wednesday the launch of atorvastatin calcium tablets in the 10-mg, 20-mg, 40-mg and 80-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Pfizer's Lipitor, which had sales of slightly more than $8 billion during the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.

June 7, 2012
Dr. Reddy's launches Parkinson's disease drug

Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a drug for treating Parkinson's disease, the company said Thursday.

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.

June 6, 2012
Dr. Reddy's, Merck KGaA partner on biosimilars

A generic drug maker in India and a German pharmaceutical company will collaborate to develop biosimilars.

HYDERABAD, India — A generic drug maker in India and a German pharmaceutical company will collaborate to develop biosimilars.

Dr. Reddy's Labs and Merck KGaA subsidiary Merck Serono announced a partnership to develop biosimilar cancer treatments, most of them monoclonal antibodies, for global markets. Based in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck KGaA operates in the United States under the name EMD to distinguish itself from U.S. drug maker Merck.

May 29, 2012
Sun appoints former Teva CEO as chairman

Generic drug maker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries appointed a new chairman as the company announced big jumps in fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2012 sales and profits.

MUMBAI, India — Generic drug maker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries appointed a new chairman as the company announced big jumps in fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2012 sales and profits.

The drug maker announced the appointment of former Teva Pharmaceutical Industries president and CEO Israel Makov as chairman. Makov, who began working for Teva in 1995, and led it as president and CEO from 2002 to 2007, is widely credited with that company becoming the world's largest generic drug maker and one of the world's largest drug makers overall.

May 21, 2012
Dr. Reddy's launches heartburn treatment

Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of a popular over-the-counter drug for treating heartburn, the company said Monday.

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.

May 18, 2012
Dr. Reddy's launches generic version of Plavix

Generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of a drug used to prevent clotting of the blood.

HYDERABAD, India — Generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of a drug used to prevent clotting of the blood.

Dr. Reddy's announced Friday the launch of clopidogrel tablets in the 75-mg and 300-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Plavix, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi. As one of the first companies to submit a completed regulatory application for the 300 mg strength of the drug, Dr. Reddy's received 180 days of market exclusivity for it.

May 4, 2012
New drug shortages cut in half as industry notifications increase

The number of new drug shortages has been halved as early notifications from manufacturers of potential shortages have increased sixfold, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration wrote Thursday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The number of new drug shortages has been halved as early notifications from manufacturers of potential shortages have increased sixfold, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration wrote Thursday.

April 25, 2012
Sun launches generic version of Zyprexa

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic version of a drug used to treat psychiatric disorders, the company said.

MUMBAI, India — Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic version of a drug used to treat psychiatric disorders, the company said.

Sun announced the launch of olanzapine tablets in the 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg and 20 mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Eli Lilly's Zyprexa, used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The branded drug and generic versions had sales of $3.28 billion during the 12-month period ended in January, according to IMS Health.

 

April 24, 2012
Dr. Reddy's launches generic version of Zyprexa

Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of an Eli Lilly drug used to treat psychiatric disorders, the company said Tuesday.

HYDERABAD, India — Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of an Eli Lilly drug used to treat psychiatric disorders, the company said Tuesday.

Dr. Reddy's announced the launch of olanzapine tablets in the 2.5-mg, 5-mg, 7.5-mg, 10-mg and 15-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Zyprexa, used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Generic and branded versions of the drug had sales of about $3.28 billion during the 12-month period ended in January, according to IMS Health.

March 12, 2012
Former Sam’s CEO Cornell lands at PepsiCo

Less than two months after resigning as president and CEO of Sam’s Club, Brian Cornell has landed at Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo where he will serve as CEO of the company’s North American food division reporting to chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Less than two months after resigning as president and CEO of Sam’s Club, Brian Cornell has landed at Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo where he will serve as CEO of the company’s North American food division reporting to chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi.

Cornell will be responsible for Frito-Lay North America, Quaker Foods & Snacks North America, PepsiCo Mexico, South America Foods, PepsiCo customer teams and all of PepsiCo’s Power of One activities within the Americas. 

March 5, 2012
Dr. Reddy's launches generic version of Pfizer's Geodon

Indian drug maker Dr. Reddy's has launched a drug designed to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, the company said.

HYDERABAD, India — Indian drug maker Dr. Reddy's has launched a drug designed to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, the company said.

The company announced the launch of ziprasidone hydrochloride capsules in the 20-mg, 40-mg, 60-mg and 80-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Pfizer's Geodon, which had sales of $1.34 billion in 2011, according to IMS Health.

March 2, 2012
Walgreens garners recognition for many pharmacy core competencies

There is one key takeaway from Fast Company's naming of Walgreens as one of the industry's most innovative companies — Walgreens wasn't classified under the industry banner of "retailer," but under the industry banner of "health care."

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — There is one key takeaway from Fast Company's naming of Walgreens as one of the industry's most innovative companies — Walgreens wasn't classified under the industry banner of "retailer," but under the industry banner of "health care." And if that isn't proof enough that Walgreens' latest retooling of its pharmacy is making patients rethink what health care is all about, then consider this: Walgreens is the only company in Fast Company's Healthcare Top 10 that physically interacts with patients — in Americ

February 28, 2012
Glenmark recalls seven lots of contraceptive drug

The U.S. unit of Indian generic drug maker Glenmark is recalling a generic contraceptive drug, the company said.

NEW YORK — The U.S. unit of Indian generic drug maker Glenmark is recalling a generic contraceptive drug, the company said.

Glenmark Generics USA announced the recall of seven lots, imported from India, of norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol tablets in the 0.18-mg/0.035-mg, 0.215-mg/0.035-mg and 0.25-mg/0.035-mg strengths. The company said a packaging error resulted in blister packs being rotated 180 degrees within the card, reversing the weekly tablet orientation and making the lot number and expiration date visible only on the outer pouch.

February 24, 2012
Par completes acquisition of Edict

Generic drug maker Par Pharmaceutical has completed its acquisition of an Indian drug company, Par said.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Generic drug maker Par Pharmaceutical has completed its acquisition of an Indian drug company, Par said.

Par announced that it had completed its $20.5 million acquisition of Chennai, India-based Edict Pharmaceuticals.

Edict specializes in oral solid drugs and currently has 11 regulatory approval applications under review at the Food and Drug Administration.

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February 21, 2012
Nearly $1 billion in damages asserted in lawsuit over GERD drug

A division of Pfizer is asserting that it incurred nearly $1 billion in damages related to the launch of generic versions of one of its drugs.

MUMBAI, India — A division of Pfizer is asserting that it incurred nearly $1 billion in damages related to the launch of generic versions of one of its drugs.

In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals said it estimated that it suffered damages of $960 million from Sun's and Teva's launches of generic versions of the gastroesophageal reflux disease drug Protonix (pantoprazole).

January 20, 2012
Generics face new and long-standing issues

In the Feb. 7, 2011, issue, Drug Store News named three major issues that would define 2011 for the world of generic drugs. Those issues were drug safety, generic user fees and patent settlements.

In the Feb. 7, 2011, issue, Drug Store News named three major issues that would define 2011 for the world of generic drugs. Those issues were drug safety, generic user fees and patent settlements.

January 18, 2012
Frost & Sullivan forecasts strong growth in generic drug market through 2017

Patent expirations of key blockbuster drugs and efforts by payers to contain costs are likely to bring strong growth to the global generic drug market in the next few years as market-earned revenues grow by more than $100 billion, according to an analysis by research firm Frost & Sullivan.

LONDON — Patent expirations of key blockbuster drugs and efforts by payers to contain costs are likely to bring strong growth to the global generic drug market in the next few years as market-earned revenues grow by more than $100 billion, according to an analysis by research firm Frost & Sullivan.

The report, titled "Generic Pharmaceuticals Market — A Global Analysis" and focusing on the United States and Europe, also found that healthcare expenditure and sales revenues are poised to shift to India, China, Brazil, Turkey and South Korea.

December 23, 2011
Thomson Reuters report forecasts post-blockbuster era

Drug makers will focus on patient-specific therapies instead of drugs designed for use by a broad range of people over the next decade, according to a new report released Thursday by Thomson Reuters.

PHILADELPHIA — Drug makers will focus on patient-specific therapies instead of drugs designed for use by a broad range of people over the next decade, according to a new report released Thursday by Thomson Reuters.

The report, titled "The Changing Role of Chemistry in Drug Discovery" and based on drug industry productivity, patent data and other dynamics and trends, was released in recognition of the International Year of Chemistry 2011.

December 21, 2011
Ranbaxy settles cGMP issues with U.S. government

Ranbaxy Labs said Wednesday that it had resolved long-standing issues concerning two of its manufacturing plants in India with the U.S. government.

GURGAON, India — Ranbaxy Labs said Wednesday that it had resolved long-standing issues concerning two of its manufacturing plants in India with the U.S. government.

December 12, 2011
FDA approves painkiller made by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic painkiller made by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Sun said.

MUMBAI, India — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic painkiller made by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Sun said.

Sun announced the approval of tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablets, a generic version of Valeant International's Ultram ER. The drug is used to treat moderate to moderately severe chronic pain in adults who need constant treatment for an extended period of time.

Various versions of the drug have annual sales of $125 million, according to Sun.

November 4, 2011
With 2012 near, generics still face challenges

In February, Drug Store News discussed three issues concerning generic drugs that would figure prominently throughout the year: drug safety, user fees and patent settlements.


In February, Drug Store News discussed three issues concerning generic drugs that would figure prominently throughout the year: drug safety, user fees and patent settlements.


October 25, 2011
Sales, profits increase for Dr. Reddy's in Q2

Dr. Reddy's Labs reported sales of $462 million for second quarter 2012 and $866 million for the first half of the fiscal year, according to an earnings statement released Tuesday.

HYDERABAD, India — Dr. Reddy's Labs reported sales of $462 million for second quarter 2012 and $866 million for the first half of the fiscal year, according to an earnings statement released Tuesday.

The Indian generic drug maker said the second-quarter sales represented a 21% increase over second quarter 2011. Sales from global generics were $329 million for the quarter, an 18% increase over second quarter 2011, driven mostly by growth in North America and Russia.

Profits for the quarter were $63 million, a 7% increase over second quarter 2011.