Content about Pfizer

March 4, 2011
ReportersNotebook — Chain Pharmacy, 3/14/11

SUPPLIER NEWS — Impax Labs received regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its generic version of a bacterial infection treatment. The drug maker said the FDA approved its 150-mg doxycycline monohydrate capsules, a drug used to treat bacterial infections and a generic version of Adoxa, made by Nycomed subsidiary PharmaDerm. The 150-mg strength of Adoxa had sales of about $25 million during the 12 months ended in December 2010, according to Wolters Kluwer.

February 24, 2011
Erica Mann to lead Bayer's Consumer Care division

Erica Mann has been named the new head of Bayer HealthCare’s Consumer Care division and member of the Bayer HealthCare executive committee. She will join the company March 14.

LEVERKUSEN, Germany — Erica Mann has been named the new head of Bayer HealthCare’s Consumer Care division and member of the Bayer HealthCare executive committee. She will join the company March 14.

“Over the past 25 years, Mann has become noted in the industry for her strong record of delivering business results,” stated Jörg Reinhardt, Bayer chairman. “Her outstanding experience and insights will further enable [the consumer care division] to take advantage of the sustained growth forecast for the OTC market.”

February 22, 2011
Hi-Tech Pharmacal receives market exclusivity for generic Neurontin

Generic drug maker Hi-Tech Pharmacal has received Food and Drug Administration approval for its version of a drug used to treat neurological disorders, the company said Tuesday.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — Generic drug maker Hi-Tech Pharmacal has received Food and Drug Administration approval for its version of a drug used to treat neurological disorders, the company said Tuesday.

Hi-Tech announced the approval of gabapentin oral solution in the 250 mg/5 mL strength, a generic version of Pfizer’s Neurontin oral solution.

The drug is used to treat postherpetic neuralgia and epilepsy. Neurontin had sales of $15 million in 2010, according to IMS Health.

February 18, 2011
As innovaters prep for patent cliff, generics prosper from patent losses

A whole slew of drugs will lose patent protection this year, opening up opportunities for generic drug makers to market their own versions. Most notable among these is Pfizer’s cholesterol-
lowering drug Lipitor (atorvastatin), the world’s top-selling drug, with U.S. sales of $7 billion during the 12 months ended September 2010, according to IMS Health.


February 18, 2011
First half of cold season ends with H1N1 hangover

All the hype around H1N1 
that was so prevalent in 2009 is gone, leaving only the tough comparisons a year later.

All the hype around H1N1 
that was so prevalent in 2009 is gone, leaving only the tough comparisons a year later. That makes the first half of the 
2010-2011 cough-cold season an H1N1 hangover with overall sales of $4.6 billion, representing a slight decline of 1.8%, for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 26, 2010, according to SymphonyIRI Group. What was missing in 2010 was the 2009 summer of sickness that reached a crescendo in September.

February 18, 2011
Study: Lipitor may prevent diabetic-related blindness

A drug used to treat high cholesterol, which will lose patent protection and face generic competition starting this year, also may help prevent blindness in people with diabetes, according to a study by researchers at the University of Georgia.

ATHENS, Ga. — A drug used to treat high cholesterol, which will lose patent protection and face generic competition starting this year, also may help prevent blindness in people with diabetes, according to a study by researchers at the University of Georgia.

February 18, 2011
Tylenol Precise heats up external analgesics sales



McNeil Consumer Healthcare recently parlayed its Tylenol brand franchise into external analgesics to quite a bit of success. For the four weeks ended Dec. 26, 2010, Precise “from the makers of Tylenol” became the No. 3 best-selling heat patch, with $1.9 million in sales across food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart), according to Symphony­IRI Group. And its pain-relieving cream similarly broke in among the top-selling brands — No. 9 with $1.3 million in sales for the four-week period.

February 15, 2011
Mylan gets approval for generic version of Vfend

Mylan has launched a generic drug for fungal infections, the company said Tuesday.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has launched a generic drug for fungal infections, the company said Tuesday.

Mylan announced the launch, through subsidiary Mylan Pharmaceuticals, of voriconazole tablets in the 50-mg and 200-mg strengths. The drug is a triazole antifungal agent.

The tablets are a generic version of Pfizer’s Vfend, which had sales of $186 million in 2010, according to IMS Health. Mylan launched its version of the drug under a settlement with Pfizer.

February 15, 2011
Report: Rxs for Viagra, Cialis get boost from Valentine's Day

It shouldn’t surprise people too much, but pills to treat male impotence tend to see big increases in prescriptions around Valentine’s Day, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — It shouldn’t surprise people too much, but pills to treat male impotence tend to see big increases in prescriptions around Valentine’s Day, according to published reports.

Bloomberg reported that prescriptions of such drugs as Pfizer’s Viagra (sildenafil) and Eli Lilly’s Cialis (tadalafil) are at their highest in the days leading up to the holiday.

February 11, 2011
E-prescribing of generics may be limited by pending legislation

Bills introduced in the legislatures of nearly a dozen states have pharmacy benefit managers and the generic drug industry fearing that the bills could lead to limits on doctors’ abilities to prescribe generics through e-prescribing.

NEW YORK — Bills introduced in the legislatures of nearly a dozen states have pharmacy benefit managers and the generic drug industry fearing that the bills could lead to limits on doctors’ abilities to prescribe generics through e-prescribing.

The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, the main lobby for PBMs, said the bills would prohibit doctors from seeing lower-cost drug options, including generics and preferred brands; would prevent the e-prescribing software from showing safety information; and would disallow lower-cost pharmacy options.

February 7, 2011
Pfizer to acquire Ferrosan's consumer healthcare business

One of the world's largest drug makers has entered a definitive agreement to purchase a Copenhagen-based consumer healthcare business.

NEW YORK — One of the world's largest drug makers has entered a definitive agreement to purchase a Copenhagen-based consumer healthcare business.

Pfizer said Monday that it agreed to acquire from Altor 2003 Fund GP Limited Ferrosan’s consumer healthcare business, which includes a portfolio of such dietary supplements and lifestyle products as Multi-Tabs and Bifiform. Ferrosan caters to such markets as Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Turkey and many countries throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

February 4, 2011
Drug companies move ahead with new medications

The cardiovascular drug market will turn into a difficult conquest in the years to come as it increasingly will be dominated by generics, but that isn’t stopping drug companies from continuing to develop treatments — 299 of them, according to a recent report by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America — for high cholesterol, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and other heart-related conditions.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The cardiovascular drug market will turn into a difficult conquest in the years to come as it increasingly will be dominated by generics, but that isn’t stopping drug companies from continuing to develop treatments — 299 of them, according to a recent report by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America — for high cholesterol, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and other heart-related conditions.

February 4, 2011
Enbrel helps improve conditions of psoriasis patients, study finds

A drug used to treat inflammatory diseases improved the conditions of patients with psoriasis that affected the scalp compared with placebo, according to results of a new study.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — A drug used to treat inflammatory diseases improved the conditions of patients with psoriasis that affected the scalp compared with placebo, according to results of a new study.

Amgen and Pfizer on Friday announced the results of the phase-4 study of Enbrel (etanercept), in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis with scaling on the scalp, also known as scalp involvement. Data from the trial will be presented Friday at the 69th annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in New Orleans.

February 1, 2011
Generics to save $70 bn

NEW YORK — The U.S. healthcare system could get at least $70 billion in savings over the next four years thanks to loss of patent protection for branded drugs, according to published reports.


IMS Health SVP Murray Aitken said at the Reuters Health Summit that generics also would increase their dominance in terms of prescriptions dispensed, increasing from 77% during the first half of this year to perhaps 85% by 2014, Reuters reported.


January 31, 2011
Pfizer: Tender offer for King completed

Pfizer has completed its tender offer for Bristol, Tenn.-based King Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer said Monday.

NEW YORK — Pfizer has completed its tender offer for Bristol, Tenn.-based King Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer said Monday.

Pfizer said 230.7 million shares valued at $14.25 each were tendered, representing about 92.5% of King.

Pfizer made its $3.6 billion offer for King in October 2010. The offer cleared the waiting period mandated by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 on Friday.

January 28, 2011
Pfizer chief medical officer honored by HBA

The chief medical officer at one of the largest drug makers in the world has been named "woman of the year" by the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association.

NEW YORK — The chief medical officer at one of the largest drug makers in the world has been named "woman of the year" by the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association.

Freda Lewis-Hall, Pfizer's chief medical officer, will be honored at the HBA's 22nd annual "Woman of the Year" luncheon in May.

Lewis-Hall's 30-year career in healthcare leadership includes roles in direct patient care, academics, media, government, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

January 28, 2011
Pfizer one step closer to completing King acquisition

Pfizer has cleared one of the main legal hurdles in its effort to purchase drug maker King Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer said Friday.

NEW YORK — Pfizer has cleared one of the main legal hurdles in its effort to purchase drug maker King Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer said Friday.

Pfizer, the world’s largest drug company, said the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 had been terminated, one of the conditions necessary for the completion of Pfizer’s tender offer for King.

Pfizer announced plans in October to purchase Bristol, Tenn.-based King for $3.6 billion, or $14.25 per share.

January 25, 2011
Mylan announces Lipitor, Caduet patent settlements

Generic drug maker Mylan has entered settlements with Pfizer concerning two drugs for treating cholesterol.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has entered settlements with Pfizer concerning two drugs for treating cholesterol.

Mylan announced Tuesday that it had settled patent litigation suits with Pfizer concerning Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) and Caduet (atorvastatin calcium and amlodipine besylate).

Under the Caduet agreement, the lawsuit will be dismissed, and Mylan can launch its generic version on Nov. 30. Terms of the Lipitor agreement remain confidential.

January 21, 2011
Dr. Reddy's receives FDA approval for generic GERD treatment

Indian drug maker Dr. Reddy’s Labs has launched a generic treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

HYDERABAD, India — Indian drug maker Dr. Reddy’s Labs has launched a generic treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The company announced Thursday the launch of pantoprazole sodium delayed-release tablets in the 20-mg and 40-mg strengths. The drug is a version of Protonix, made by Wyeth, now part of Pfizer.

Pantoprazole sodium delayed-release tablets had sales of around $1.8 billion during the 12-month period ended in September 2010, according to IMS Health.

January 21, 2011
Pfizer extends tender offer for King

Pfizer again has extended the expiration date on its tender offer to buy Bristol, Tenn.-based King Pharmaceuticals to Jan. 28, the drug maker said Friday.

NEW YORK — Pfizer again has extended the expiration date on its tender offer to buy Bristol, Tenn.-based King Pharmaceuticals to Jan. 28, the drug maker said Friday.

Pfizer announced in October that it would buy King for $3.6 billion, or $14.25 per share. King manufactures branded prescription drugs, including several painkillers.

January 21, 2011
Watson forecasts successful year

Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals expects sales of $4.2 billion for 2011, the company said Friday.

NEW YORK — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals expects sales of $4.2 billion for 2011, the company said Friday.

The company expected the forecasted sales for the year to include between $2.8 billion and $3 billion in global generics sales, compared with around $2.35 billion in 2010. Total sales for 2010 were around $3.5 billion, according to preliminary financial results released last week.

January 19, 2011
Impax responds to reports about generic Lipitor

In response to articles that appeared in several media outlets about its generic drug pipeline, drug maker Impax Labs is looking to set the record straight.

HAYWARD, Calif. — In response to articles that appeared in several media outlets about its generic drug pipeline, drug maker Impax Labs is looking to set the record straight.

The company said several financial websites had reported that Impax had found a way to make a generic version of Pfizer’s cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium).

January 18, 2011
Pfizer's Germano to speak at 2011 Armada Specialty Pharmacy Summit

Pfizer president and general manager for specialty care and oncology, Geno Germano, will deliver the “State of the Pharma/Biotech Industry Address” at the 2011 Armada Specialty Pharmacy Summit, Armada Health Care said Tuesday.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Pfizer president and general manager for specialty care and oncology, Geno Germano, will deliver the “State of the Pharma/Biotech Industry Address” at the 2011 Armada Specialty Pharmacy Summit, Armada Health Care said Tuesday.

The summit, which will take place in Las Vegas in May, is in its seventh year and is expected to bring 1,500 participants representing 400 specialty healthcare organizations, including specialty pharmacy providers, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, wholesale distributors and others.

January 14, 2011
McNeil issues recall at wholesaler level

In consultation with the Food and Drug Administration, McNeil Consumer Healthcare on Friday voluntarily recalled certain lots of Tylenol 8 Hour, Tylenol Arthritis Pain and Tylenol upper respiratory products, as well as certain lots of Benadryl, Sudafed PE and Sinutab products at the wholesale level.

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — In consultation with the Food and Drug Administration, McNeil Consumer Healthcare on Friday voluntarily recalled certain lots of Tylenol 8 Hour, Tylenol Arthritis Pain and Tylenol upper respiratory products, as well as certain lots of Benadryl, Sudafed PE and Sinutab products at the wholesale level.

January 7, 2011
Pfizer forms licensing agreement with Seattle Genetics

Pfizer has paid Seattle Genetics $8 million to license its antibody technology, Seattle Genetics said Thursday.

BOTHELL, Wash. — Pfizer has paid Seattle Genetics $8 million to license its antibody technology, Seattle Genetics said Thursday.

Seattle Genetics, based in Bothell, Wash., said Pfizer would pursue antibodies for treating an unspecified form of cancer using its antibody-drug conjugate technology. ADCs are monoclonal antibodies that selectively deliver anti-cancer agents to tumor cells. Seattle Genetics has developed anti-tumor drugs called auristatins, which are attached to antibodies and then used to kill the cancer cells while sparing noncancer cells.