Pharma News
Cipla and S&D Pharma make generics deal for Czech Republic and Slovakia
India-based generics maker Cipla has partnered with S&D Pharma to launch affordable, high quality generics in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Patients at risk from UK drug shortages
Ongoing drug shortages in the UK have led to 80% of general practitioners (GPs) surveyed reporting that their workloads have increased in the last year. A third of doctors say their patients have been harmed or been negatively affected if a second choice has had to be prescribed.
Investor principles on biosimilars gained support
Amgen and Novartis (parent company of Sandoz, a leader in the biosimilars field) have both come out in support of a set of principles on biosimilars laid down by a coalition of 19 institutional investors.
Branded drugmaker could be sued for generic’s side effects
The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled, for the second time, that Pfizer could be sued for damages allegedly caused by its heartburn drug Reglan (metoclopramide), even if the plaintiff had only taken a generic version of the drug. The ruling follows a rehearing requested by Pfizer, which failed to overturn the original ruling.
Generics shortages continue to rise in the UK
There is growing anxiety around the supply of generic medicines in the UK, according to a statement released by the country’s All-Party Pharmacy Group (APPG). The problem is worse than it was two years ago [1], say the cross-bench Members of Parliament who make up the group, and it is not being addressed by the Department of Health’s (DoH) supply chain forum which was set up to address this very issue.
Generics deals for Mylan, Pfizer and Sun Pharma
Not to be beaten by biosimilars manufacturers, generics makers are also jumping on the ‘deals’ bandwagon, with a plethora of collaborations announced in the past weeks.
Endo to buy generics maker DAVA
Specialty pharmaceuticals maker Endo Health Solutions (Endo) announced on 24 June 2014 that it had reached a definitive agreement to acquire generics maker DAVA Pharmaceuticals for US$575 million in cash, with another US$25 million up for grabs depending on the achievement of certain sales milestones.
Abbott to buy Russian generics firm
US-based pharma company Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) announced on 23 June 2014 that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Russian generics maker Veropharm.
Pfenex looking for funding for its biosimilars pipeline
US biotechnology firm Pfenex is looking to raise more than US$45 million to further its biosimilars pipeline.
Views on biosimilars at Amgen and Actavis
Biotech giant Amgen and US generics maker Actavis entered into a collaboration for the development and commercialization of several cancer antibody biosimilars back in December 2011 [1]. Now the two companies have spoken to GaBI about their views on biosimilars and their biosimilar plans [2].
Top 10 most read GaBI Online articles in 2013
2013 was a busy year with lots of developments in the biosimilars arena, ranging from revision of regulatory guidelines to new biosimilar approvals. Biosimilars remain the hot topic of the year for GaBI Online during 2013 and in fact all 10 of the most read articles concern biosimilars.
Abbott expands generics business in Latin America
US-based pharma company Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) announced on 16 May 2014 that it was expanding its presence in Latin American and increasing its branded generics portfolio with the acquisition of CFR Pharmaceuticals (CFR).
Pamplona investment group buys majority share in Alvolgen
Specialist investment manager Pamplona Capital Management (Pamplona) announced on 2 April 2014 that it had acquired a majority stake in US generics company Alvogen, one of the fastest growing generics companies in the pharmaceutical industry.
Actavis to acquire generics from Akorn
US generics major Actavis announced on 17 April 2014 that it had made a deal with Akorn and Hi-Tech Pharmacal (Hi-Tech) to buy five of their products.
UK court invalidates Herceptin patents
A High Court in the UK has overturned two key patents on Roche’s breast cancer blockbuster Herceptin (trastuzumab).
Sun Pharma to acquire Ranbaxy creating 5th largest generics firm
India-based Sun Pharmaceutical (Sun Pharma) announced on 6 April 2014 that the company had agreed to acquire rival generics maker Ranbaxy Laboratories (Ranbaxy) in an all-stock deal worth US$3.2 billion.
Actavis buys Thai generics company
US generics major Actavis has acquired Silom Medical Company, a privately held generics firm focused on developing and marketing therapies in Thailand, for around US$100 million in cash.
US FTC hopes to collect US$1 billion from pay-for-delay settlement
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is looking to collect more than US$1 billion from a settlement with pharmaceutical companies it has sued for their part in what the FTC terms ‘pay-for-delay’ deals.
Anticompetitive practices come under scrutiny in Australia
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has started proceedings in the Federal Court against Pfizer Australia (Pfizer) alleging that offers made by Pfizer to pharmacies before the expiry of the patents for its blockbuster cholesterol-lowering drug Liptor (atorvastatin) were anticompetitive.
Actavis to acquire specialty drugmaker Forest Labs
US-based generic drugmaker Actavis is set to grow even bigger, with the acquisition of US-based Forest Laboratories (Forest Labs), according to an announcement by the companies on 18 February 2014.
Actavis sells interest in China
US generic drugmaker Actavis has sold its interest in its Chinese subsidiary based in Foshan, Guangdong, to Zhejiang Chiral Medicine Chemicals. Actavis, the second biggest generic drugmaker by market capitalization, intends to continue further commercial operations in China in collaboration with its preferred business partners.
Aurobindo to acquire seven generics businesses from Actavis
US generics maker Actavis and Indian generics maker Aurobindo Pharma (Aurobindo) announced on 17 January 2014 the signing of an offer for Aurobindo to acquire generics commercial operations in seven markets in Western Europe from Actavis.
Pfizer’s generics business up for grabs
In 2013, Pfizer, the world’s largest drugmaker, split its business into two brand-name drug units and a generics business. Now it seems the generics unit, or its ‘established products’ unit, is being circled for a potential takeover bid.
Pricing dispute causing drug shortages in Pakistan
Pharmaceutical manufacturers in Pakistan are warning the Pakistan Government that shortages in life-saving drugs are a result of the ongoing dispute over drug prices.
Ireland’s IPHA hits back at high drug prices claim
The Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) has hit back at statements from the European Commission’s (EC’s) troika that drug prices in the country are unjustifiably high.
Health Canada approves generic oxycodone despite fears of abuse
Canada’s drug regulator Health Canada has approved a generic non-crush resistant form of oxycodone, despite the fact that US officials have been urging their Canadian counterpart to ban such formulation of the powerful painkiller.
Ireland high drug prices cannot be justified
The European Commission’s troika mission to Ireland has told Government TDs (Members of Parliament) that the cost of pharmaceutical drugs in the country cannot be justified. Drug prices in the country have been found to be at least three times more expensive than in the UK.
EMA launches public catalogue of drug shortages
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced on 4 November 2013 the launch of its public catalogue on supply shortages of drugs.
FDA announces two actions to combat drug shortages
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on 31 October 2013 that it is taking two important actions to further enhance the agency’s ongoing efforts to prevent and resolve drug shortages.
Australia should not copy New Zealand’s drug pricing system
Australia should resist ongoing pressure to adopt a New Zealand-style model of medicines funding, according to Medicines Australia, a group that represents originator manufacturers.
US state introduces law to allow meds to be bought over Internet
On 9 October 2013, the US state of Maine introduced a law allowing its residents to purchase foreign prescription drugs over the Internet.
India approves Mylan’s purchase of Agila
Generics giant Mylan announced on 3 September 2013 that its proposed acquisition of generics injectables maker Agila Specialties (Agila) from Strides Arcolab for Rs 5,168-crore (US$1.6 billion) had been cleared by the Indian Government.
Johnson & Johnson warns of shortages of cancer drug Doxil
Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies (Janssen), a division of healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson, has warned of impending shortages of its ovarian cancer drug Doxil (doxorubicin).
Sandoz launches new device for its biosimilar somatropin
Sandoz, the generic drug division of Swiss drug giant Novartis, announced on 23 September 2013 the launch of a new delivery device for its biosimilar somatropin product (Omnitrope) in the UK.
Akorn to buy Hi-Tech Pharmacal for US$640 million
Generic eye-drugmaker Akorn has entered into a deal to buy Hi-Tech Pharmacal (Hi-Tech) for US$640 million in cash to expand into oral liquids and ointments, including cold and cough treatments.
Endo to buy specialty generic drugmaker Boca Pharmacal
Specialty pharmaceutical maker Endo Health Solutions (Endo) announced on 28 August 2013 that its generics subsidiary, Qualitest, has agreed to buy specialty generic drugmaker Boca Pharmacal (Boca) for US$225 million in cash.
Actavis and Bioton form joint venture for insulin
Icelandic generics manufacturer Actavis announced on 30 January 2012 that it had formed a joint venture company with Polish biotechnology company Bioton for the development and registration of insulin products, including analogue insulins.
Philippines urged to import drugs from Bangladesh
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms Sheikh Hasina, on 5 May 2013 urged the Philippines to import pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh, particularly for the countries governmental hospitals and clinics, due to the significant cost-savings to be made.
Generics manufacturers increase investment in injectables
Generic drugmaker Zydus Cadila, the fifth largest pharmaceutical company in India, is set to invest about US$15.8 million in building an FDA-approved injectables-manufacturing plant. The news in August 2013 came just as Aurobindo Pharma announced plans to spin-off its injectables business to strengthen that side of its operations further.
Fresenius Kabi sets up generics joint venture in Indonesia
Fresenius Kabi, the generics unit of healthcare giant Fresenius, announced on 19 August 2013 that it had set up a joint venture with Indonesia-based PT Soho Global Health, acquiring a 51% share in its subsidiary PT Ethica Industri Farmasi.
