Content about Pfizer

December 20, 2011
Pfizer submits regulatory application for rheumatoid arthritis drug to FDA

Pfizer is seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its investigational treatment of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis.

NEW YORK — Pfizer is seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its investigational treatment of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis.

The company said the FDA accepted a new drug application for tofacitinib for review. The agency also has provided an anticipated Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date of August 2012. Tofacitinib, which is a novel, oral JAK inhibitor, currently is under review by the European Medicines Agency.

December 20, 2011
Ulcerative colitis market to hit $3 billion by 2020

The market for drugs to treat ulcerative colitis will increase from 2010's $1.7 billion to $3 billion in 2020, according to a new report by market research firm Decision Resources.

BURLINGTON, Mass. — The market for drugs to treat ulcerative colitis will increase from 2010's $1.7 billion to $3 billion in 2020, according to a new report by market research firm Decision Resources.

December 19, 2011
FDA approves Sandoz drug for fungal infections

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Sandoz for treating yeast and other fungal infections.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Sandoz for treating yeast and other fungal infections.

Sandoz announced Monday the approval of voriconazole tablets in the 50-mg and 200-mg strengths, a generic version of Pfizer's Vfend.

Branded and generic versions of the drug had sales of about $189 million during the 12-month period ended in October, according to IMS Health.

 

December 16, 2011
Lyrica produces 'significant' improvement in restless legs syndrome

A drug made by Pfizer shows "significant" benefit to patients with restless legs syndrome, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Friday.

NEW YORK — A drug made by Pfizer shows "significant" benefit to patients with restless legs syndrome, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Friday.

The drug maker said Lyrica (pregabalin) produced statistically significant improvements in patients with RLS compared with placebo and pramipexole after 12 weeks of treatment. In the phase-3 study, A0081186, 300 mg of Lyrica, 0.25 mg of pramipexole, 0.5 mg of pramipexole or placebo was given to patients on a daily basis.

December 13, 2011
Pfizer Consumer survey reveals need for fever education among parents

According to two new surveys of parents and pediatricians from Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, more than half of all parents report feeling anxious, fearful or helpless when their child comes down with a fever.

MADISON, N.J. — According to two new surveys of parents and pediatricians from Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, more than half of all parents report feeling anxious, fearful or helpless when their child comes down with a fever. In addition, many parents are not managing the fever correctly.

This actually is nothing new to the vast majority of pediatricians (94%) who believe that parents need more fever management education.

December 13, 2011
Report: Authorized generic versions of Lipitor capture 14.6% of script volume

Though they've been on the market for less than a month, the generic and authorized generic versions of Pfizer's cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor have captured more than one-tenth of prescriptions, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Though they've been on the market for less than a month, the generic and authorized generic versions of Pfizer's cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor have captured more than one-tenth of prescriptions, according to published reports.

Citing an analysis of data from IMS Health by J.P. Morgan, The Wall Street Journal reported that Ranbaxy's generic atorvastatin calcium tablets and Watson Pharmaceuticals' authorized generic have claimed about 14.6% of prescription volume since their launch on Nov. 30.

December 9, 2011
Pfizer debuts Advil testimonial starring Jon Bon Jovi

Pfizer Consumer Healthcare on Thursday unveiled a Jon Bon Jovi testimonial as its latest commercial that's part of its "Advil Stories" campaign.

ADISON, N.J. — Pfizer Consumer Healthcare on Thursday unveiled a Jon Bon Jovi testimonial as its latest commercial that's part of its "Advil Stories" campaign.

December 8, 2011
FDA panel votes in favor of Pfizer kidney cancer drug

A Food and Drug Administration panel of 13 advisers has voted in favor of a drug made by Pfizer for treating kidney cancer, the drug maker said Wednesday.

NEW YORK — A Food and Drug Administration panel of 13 advisers has voted in favor of a drug made by Pfizer for treating kidney cancer, the drug maker said Wednesday.

Pfizer announced that the FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted unanimously to state that axitinib's benefits outweighed its risks in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma for whom first-line treatments had failed.

December 6, 2011
Pfizer's Toviaz safe, effective in treating overactive bladder in elderly patients

A drug made by Pfizer appears to work in treating overactive bladder in elderly patients, according to results of a clinical trial released Monday.

NEW YORK — A drug made by Pfizer appears to work in treating symptoms of overactive bladder in elderly patients, according to results of a clinical trial released Monday.

Pfizer said that results of study A0221049 of the drug Toviaz (fesoterodine fumarate) worked better than placebo in reducing the number of urgency urinary incontinence episodes. The 12-week study enrolled 562 elderly people in the United States. The drug already has Food and Drug Administration approval for treating overactive bladder.

December 6, 2011
Ranbaxy launches Caduet authorized generic

Days after its launch of a generic version of Pfizer's cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor, Ranbaxy Labs has launched a related drug as an authorized generic.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Days after its launch of a generic version of Pfizer's cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor, Ranbaxy Labs has launched a related drug as an authorized generic.

Ranbaxy announced the launch of an authorized generic version of Caduet (atorvastatin and amlodipine besylate). The drug is used to treat patients with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Mylan launched a generic version of the drug on Thursday.

December 5, 2011
Lipitor going generic garners attention far and wide

With annual sales gaining on the $8 billion mark in the United States alone, according to IMS Health, Lipitor (atorvastatin) is the top-selling drug in the world, and the price markdown that Ranbaxy Labs’ launch (and subsequent generic launches) will bring, greatly will expand its accessibility. So it’s no surprise that it has attracted so much media attention over the past few weeks.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — With annual sales gaining on the $8 billion mark in the United States alone, according to IMS Health, Lipitor (atorvastatin) is the top-selling drug in the world, and the price markdown that Ranbaxy Labs’ launch (and subsequent generic launches) will bring, greatly will expand its accessibility. So it’s no surprise that it has attracted so much media attention over the past few weeks.

December 2, 2011
Pfizer completes Excaliard acquisition

Pfizer completed its acquisition of a drug maker that focuses on the development of skin scarring treatments.

NEW YORK — Pfizer completed its acquisition of a drug maker that focuses on the development of skin scarring treatments.

Pfizer said its acquisition of Excaliard Pharmaceuticals will allow the company to develop "new and innovative treatments to address unmet medical needs," noting that there currently is no excessive skin scarring treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

December 2, 2011
Six retailers charge Wyeth, Teva with unlawfully delaying generic Effexor XR

Six retailers on Wednesday filed suit naming Wyeth and Teva Pharmaceuticals as defendants and alleging that the defendants unlawfully delayed the entry of generic versions of Wyeth's antidepressant Effexor XR (venlafaxine).

TRENTON, N.J. — Six retailers on Wednesday filed suit naming Wyeth and Teva Pharmaceuticals as defendants and alleging that the defendants unlawfully delayed the entry of generic versions of Wyeth's antidepressant Effexor XR (venlafaxine). A summons was issued to Wyeth and Teva on Thursday.

The retailers include Ahold USA, H-E-B, Kroger, Safeway, Supervalu and Walgreens. The companies are suing for three-times damages plus attorneys fees.

Wyeth was acquired by Pfizer in October 2009.

December 1, 2011
Ranbaxy launches generic Lipitor

Ranbaxy Labs got the green light from the Food and Drug Administration Wednesday night to launch its generic version of Pfizer's cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Ranbaxy Labs got the green light from the Food and Drug Administration Wednesday night to launch its generic version of Pfizer's cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor.

The FDA announced the approval of Ranbaxy's atorvastatin calcium tablets in the 10-mg, 20-mg, 40-mg and 80-mg strengths. New Brunswick, N.J.-based Ohm Labs will manufacture the drug.

December 1, 2011
Senators look into Pfizer-PBM deal for Lipitor

Pfizer's efforts to protect the sales of its blockbuster cholesterol drug Lipitor have attracted scrutiny from members of Congress, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Pfizer's efforts to protect the sales of its blockbuster cholesterol drug Lipitor have attracted scrutiny from members of Congress, according to published reports.

The New York Times reported Thursday that three senators — Max Baucus, D-Mont.; Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; and Herb Kohl, D-Wis. — had asked Pfizer and five other companies to provide details of their agreements to prevent dispensing of generic versions of Lipitor (atorvastatin) and dispense only the branded version.

November 30, 2011
Ranbaxy generic Lipitor launch delayed as Watson launches authorized generic

Ranbaxy Labs was supposed to launch its generic version of the world's top-selling drug Wednesday, but a competitor beat it to the punch as the former waits for final Food and Drug Administration clearance.

NEW YORK — Ranbaxy Labs was supposed to launch its generic version of the world's top-selling drug Wednesday, but a competitor beat it to the punch as the former waits for final Food and Drug Administration clearance.

November 23, 2011
Pfizer to sell Lipitor directly by mail

Pfizer is looking to sell its top-selling cholesterol drug directly to consumers at a greatly reduced price after the patent expires, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Pfizer is looking to sell its top-selling cholesterol drug directly to consumers at a greatly reduced price after the patent expires, according to published reports.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Pfizer would partner with health plans to sell Lipitor (atorvastatin) directly to consumers through the mail when the drug's patent expires at the end of the month, opening the drug to generic competition.

November 22, 2011
Pfizer acquiring Excaliard Pharmaceuticals

Pfizer will acquire a San Diego-based drug maker focused on treatments for skin scarring, the company said Tuesday.

NEW YORK — Pfizer will acquire a San Diego-based drug maker focused on treatments for skin scarring, the company said Tuesday.

Pfizer said it would buy privately owned Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, whose lead product, EXC 001, is in phase-2 trials for skin scarring, also known as skin fibrosis, a result of surgical procedures. There currently are no Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments to reduce scar severity. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

November 17, 2011
Pfizer Consumer teams with Yankee Brett Gardner on Bronx school library opening

Pfizer Consumer Healthcare on Tuesday unveiled a new library at P.S. 130 in the Bronx as part of its Advil Congestion Relief Project.

MADISON, N.J. — Pfizer Consumer Healthcare on Tuesday unveiled a new library at P.S. 130 in the Bronx as part of its Advil Congestion Relief Project. New York Yankee fan favorite Brett Gardner helped unveil a newly decongested library with improved access to computers and books.

November 16, 2011
Report: Pfizer seeks aid of PBMs in efforts to block generic versions of Lipitor

When its blockbuster cholesterol drug Lipitor loses patent protection this month, Pfizer is hoping that pharmacy benefit managers will not dispense a generic version of the drug to its customers, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — When its blockbuster cholesterol drug Lipitor loses patent protection this month, Pfizer is hoping that pharmacy benefit managers will not dispense a generic version of the drug to its customers, according to published reports.

Pharmacy benefit managers Medco and Catalyst have agreed to block generic versions of Lipitor from reaching their customers until the end of May 2012, according to Bloomberg. Additionally, the company reportedly is in talks with Express Scripts to have the PBM also block generic versions from reaching customers as well.

November 14, 2011
Study: Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb drug for internal blood clots not superior to enoxaparin

A drug under development by Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb for preventing internal blood clots failed to show superiority over a treatment already on the market, the companies said Monday.

NEW YORK — A drug under development by Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb for preventing internal blood clots failed to show superiority over a treatment already on the market, the companies said Monday.

The two drug makers announced Monday results of the phase-3 "ADOPT" study, which was designed to compare the safety and effectiveness of Eliquis (apixaban) with enoxaparin in preventing venous thromboembolism in patients with acute medical illness. Sanofi sells enoxaparin under the brand name Lovenox, and it is available as a generic.

November 9, 2011
Mylan acquires rights to Pfizer's inhaler technology

Generic drug maker Mylan has bought rights to a drug delivery platform made by Pfizer that will allow it to make generic versions of two GlaxoSmithKline respiratory drugs, Mylan said Wednesday.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has bought rights to a drug delivery platform made by Pfizer that will allow it to make generic versions of two GlaxoSmithKline respiratory drugs, Mylan said Wednesday.

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.


November 2, 2011
Pfizer switch of Lipitor under consideration

It's official. Pfizer will be exploring a potential switch of its blockbuster lipid-lowering drug Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium).

NEW YORK — It's official. Pfizer will be exploring a potential switch of its blockbuster lipid-lowering drug Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium).

November 1, 2011
Pfizer could lose No. 1 global sales ranking to Sanofi next year, report finds

Pfizer soon may lose its distinction of having the highest global sales of any drug company, according to life sciences industry analysis firm EvaluatePharma.

LONDON — Pfizer soon may lose its distinction of having the highest global sales of any drug company, according to life sciences industry analysis firm EvaluatePharma.

The next contender for the title is France's Sanofi, which EvaluatePharma said was expected to take the top spot next year and stay there through 2016.