Generics

Patients’ perceptions of HIV generics in France

Generics/Research | Posted 22/05/2015

In a study of patient perceptions of HIV generics in France, Jacomet and co-authors found that while the majority of patients accepted antiretroviral generics, a third of the patients were openly opposed to antiretroviral generics [1].

Generics of high blood pressure medication launched

Generics/News | Posted 22/05/2015

On 31 March 2015, generics majors Mylan, Sandoz and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) announced the US launch of their respective generic amlodipine and valsartan combination tablets in four dosages.

Patients’ and physicians’ perceptions of HIV generics

Generics/Research | Posted 15/05/2015

A study of adult HIV positive outpatients and their physicians in clinics across France found that a third of patients and a quarter of physicians are openly opposed to antiretroviral generics [1].

TWi and Takeda settle dispute over anti-reflux generic

Generics/News | Posted 15/05/2015

Taiwan-based TWi Pharmaceuticals (TWi) announced on 27 April 2015 that it had entered into a settlement agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA and Takeda Pharmaceuticals America (Takeda) to settle and dismiss all outstanding patent litigation related to TWi’s generic dexlansoprazole.

Statin generics improves adherence

Generics/Research | Posted 08/05/2015

Switching from a brand-name statin to a generic statin has been shown to improve adherence, researchers in Sweden report [1].

FDA approves first generics of antipsychotic drug

Generics/News | Posted 04/05/2015

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on 28 April 2015 the approval of the first generics of Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s schizophrenia drug Abilify (aripiprazole).

Poland’s experience with generic imatinib

Generics/Research | Posted 27/04/2015

In July 2014, Poland became the first country in the European Union (EU) to introduce a generic form of the chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) treatment imatinib. This, and the dearth of reliable information related to CML patients in Europe who have taken generic imatinib, make the country uniquely positioned to monitor the process of switching from the brand-name drug to its generic, according to author Patrycja Rusicka of the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland [1].

Soaring generics prices come under increased scrutiny

Generics/General | Posted 27/04/2015

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is to investigate the soaring prices of generics in the US.

Safety and cost considerations of generic and originator gabapentin

Generics/Research | Posted 17/04/2015

The launch of generic garbapentin prompted researchers from the Chulalongkorn University and the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, to carry out a study to compare the safety and effectiveness of generic gabapentin compared to originator gabapentin (Neurontin) [1].

IDT Australia gets FDA nod for 23 generics

Generics/News | Posted 17/04/2015

IDT Australia announced on 13 April 2015 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted the transfer of ownership of 23 generics to the Australia-based company.

Brazilian patients positive about generics

Generics/Research | Posted 10/04/2015

A study looking at patients perceptions on generics in Brazil concludes that, although Brazilian patients have a positive attitude towards generics, more work is needed to increase the use of generics in the country.

Effectiveness of generic and originator gabapentin in lower back pain

Generics/Research | Posted 10/04/2015

Researchers from the Chulalongkorn University and the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, carried out a study to compare the effectiveness of generic gabapentin Sandoz compared to originator gabapentin (Neurontin) [1].

France outlines plans to promote generics

Generics/General | Posted 10/04/2015

The French are in general mistrusting of generics with many choosing to stay with brand-name drugs. However, in 2012, in order to combat rising healthcare costs, the French Government introduced measures to increase generic drug use in the country [1]. Now the government has gone a step further and is introducing a national action plan to encourage the use of generics in the country.

Comparison of generic and originator gabapentin

Generics/Research | Posted 03/04/2015

The cost of treatment for patients with neuropathic lower back pain is higher than those with non-neuropathic lower back pain. Originator gabapentin (Neurontin), an anticonvulsant, the efficacy has been proven for pain improvement among patients with neuropathic pain. In Thailand, gabapentin has usually been prescribed for patients having chronic back pain associated with lumbar radiculopathy, however, the high cost of originator gabapentin (Neurontin) has been found to be a problem for patients. Although generic gabapentin has recently been launched in Thailand, there is limited clinical evidence to prove its effectiveness compared to the originator.

Shire grabs Par’s attention with patent lawsuit

Generics/News | Posted 03/04/2015

Shire has served its rival Par Pharmaceutical (Par) with a patent infringement lawsuit in New Jersey Federal Court over Par's application to market a generic version of Shire's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication Adderall XR.

Dr Reddy’s US drug pricing comes under scrutiny

Generics/General | Posted 03/04/2015

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, the India-based generics drugmaker, has been asked to share drug-pricing information with the attorneys general of California and Texas in November 2014. The two US States take their lead from an investigation into generics pricing at the national level.

Generics utilization policies necessary to sustain Medicaid

Generics/Research | Posted 27/03/2015

A review of the history and expansion of generics utilization policies and their critical role in the US Medicaid system in an era of reduced budgets concluded that such policies are a necessary component for preservation of the Medicaid system [1].

Actavis loses Atelvia patents

Generics/News | Posted 27/03/2015

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) has won a legal battle against Actavis after a federal judge invalidated two patents protecting the post-menopausal osteoporosis drug Atelvia (risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets, 35 mg). Actavis acquired Atelvia in 2013 when it bought Irish drugmaker Warner Chilcott [1], which continues to produce the drug as an Actavis subsidiary.