Generics

Also noted on generics: 30 March 2012

Generics/General | Posted 30/03/2012

Watson in talks to buy Actavis
US generics manufacturer Watson is rumoured to be making a bid for Icelandic generics company Actavis, according to Bloomberg, creating one of the world’s largest generics companies in the process. Watson is reportedly in private talks to pay around Euros 4.5 billion for Actavis, with a deal likely to be announced after Easter.

Source: Bloomberg

Generic rosuvastatin approved in Canada

Generics/News | Posted 23/03/2012

Generics giant Mylan Pharmaceuticals (Mylan) announced on 15 March 2012 that it had received approval from Health Canada for a generic version of AstraZeneca’s leading cholesterol drug Crestor (rosuvastatin). The approval covers tablets in 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg strengths.

Brand-name atorvastatin cheaper than generics

Generics/Research | Posted 23/03/2012

Despite generics of Pfizer’s blockbuster cholesterol-reducing drug Lipitor (atorvastatin) being available in the US since the patent expired in November 2011, many patients are still receiving the brand-name drug [1].

AstraZeneca sues FDA over generic quetiapine

Generics/News | Posted 23/03/2012

In an attempt to prevent competition from generics to its blockbuster anti-psychotic drug Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate), pharma giant AstraZeneca has filed a lawsuit against FDA.

Also noted on generics: 22 March 2012

Generics/General | Posted 23/03/2012

Watson confirms patent challenges
Watson Pharmaceuticals (Watson) confirmed that lawsuits had been filed against the generics company regarding two Abbreviated New Drug Applications it had submitted to FDA.

Forest Laboratories filed a lawsuit against Watson on 13 March 2012 to try to prevent a generic version of Bystolic (nebivolol) used for treatment of hypertension, until the ‘040’ patent that Forest licenses from Janssen Pharmaceutica expires in December 2021.

Abbott Laboratories filed a lawsuit against Watson on 16 March 2012 to prevent commercialisation of a generic version of Niaspan (Niacin) extended release tablets until the ‘428’ and ‘035’ patents expire in September 2013.

Source: Watson

Cost savings due to prescribing of generic PPIs and statins in Scotland

Generics/Research | Posted 16/03/2012

Significant cost savings can be made by governments by encouraging prescribing of generics rather than brand-name drugs. In Scotland, in an effort to control medicines expenditure, measures were introduced in 2000 to encourage the prescribing of generic proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and statins [1].

Generics reach 80% and play a critical role in reducing costs

Generics/General | Posted 16/03/2012

Prescription drug spending in the US reached US$307 billion in 2010–an increase of US$135 billion since 2001–and comprised approximately 12% of all healthcare spending in the country, according to a report published on 31 January 2012 by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO).

First generic atorvastatin launched in Australia and Europe

Generics/News | Posted 16/03/2012

On 6 March 2012, Ranbaxy announced that it had obtained, pursuant to a settlement agreement with Pfizer, the rights to an early entry of its generic atorvastatin in Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and Sweden.

Indian Government issues first compulsory licence

Generics/General | Posted 16/03/2012

The Indian Government has issued a compulsory licence for the first time, allowing India-based drugmaker Natco Pharma (Natco) to launch a generic version of Bayer’s liver and kidney cancer drug Nexavar (sorafenib) before the patent expires on the originator.

Also noted on generics: 16 March 2012

Generics/General | Posted 16/03/2012

Prescription drugs to be directly dispensed by pharmacists
FDA has announced a meeting to be held on 22 and 23 March 2012 to discuss the possibility of allowing some prescription drugs to be dispensed by pharmacists without the need for a physician’s prescription.

Source: Federal Register

Data publication may address generics misperceptions

Generics/Research | Posted 09/03/2012

Wider publication of bioequivalence, safety, or efficacy data to demonstrate the effectiveness of generic drug compounds may help to nullify the last remaining anti-generics argument: that generics do not achieve the same therapeutic standards as the original branded drug.

Generics saved Germany more than 25% in 2011

Generics/General | Posted 09/03/2012

The increased use of generics in Germany has brought about record savings of more than 25% in 2011 compared with 2010. The increased savings have been attributed to the success of measures put in place by the German Government to encourage generics substitution and competition in the public health insurance funds off-patent market.

Savings to be made from generics use in Australia

Generics/General | Posted 09/03/2012

Increasing the use of generic drugs in Australia could generate ‘hundreds of millions of dollars in savings’ for Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in 2012 [1], ‘eliminating the need for further PBS cuts’, according to Australia’s Generic Medicines Industry Association (GMiA).

Impact of measures to encourage generics prescribing in Scotland

Generics/Research | Posted 02/03/2012

Since 2000, measures have been introduced in Scotland in order to encourage use of generic rather than brand-name proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and statins [1]. The impact of these measures on the prescribing practices in Scotland has been positive. Generics use has increased, and costs for the Scottish government have decreased.

FDA approves new suppliers to alleviate cancer drug shortages

Generics/General | Posted 02/03/2012

Two new suppliers of cancer treatments have been approved by FDA to try to alleviate ongoing US drug shortages.

Hospira re-joins Generic Pharmaceutical Association

Generics/News | Posted 02/03/2012

Hospira announced on 23 February 2012 that the company had re-joined the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA). Hospira, self-proclaimed leader in injectable generics, added that it is dedicated to ‘advancing wellness’, a goal that matches well with the GPhA’s core purpose of bringing affordable medications to patients who need them.

Apotex clopidogrel at-risk launch costs US$442 million

Generics/News | Posted 02/03/2012

Sanofi and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) announced on 8 February 2012 that generic drugmaker Apotex had paid a whopping US$442 million in damages in the Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) patent infringement case against Apotex.

Prescribing of generic PPIs and statins in Scotland

Generics/Research | Posted 24/02/2012

In Scotland, a series of measures have been introduced since 2000 in order to encourage use of generic rather than brand-name proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and statins [1]. Some of the measures introduced include: