Pharma News
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.
Perrigo expands global ambitions with Elan buy
US-based generics maker Perrigo Company (Perrigo) announced on 29 July 2013 that it would acquire Irish biotechnology company Elan Corporation (Elan) for US$8.6 billion.
Pfizer prepares to split off generics business
Pfizer, the world’s largest research-based pharmaceutical company, has announced plans to split off its generics drug business into a separate commercial operation. News of the plans came as the company reported its second quarter 2013 results at the end of July.
Aspen makes deals with Merck and GSK
Generics manufacturer Aspen Pharmacare Holdings (Aspen) is expanding its brand-name business, first signing a deal with Pharma giant Merck, and then offering to buy two brand-name heart medications from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
CFR pharma expands global ambitions with Adcock bid
Chile-based CFR Pharmaceuticals (CFR) has plans to become a global drugmaker. In its latest efforts it has made a US$1.3 billion cash-and-share offer for South Africa’s second-largest generics drugmaker Adcock Ingram (Adcock).
UK plans to cut drug prices by up to 20%
The UK’s Department of Health (DoH) has launched a consultation to strengthen the statutory pharmaceutical pricing scheme, which covers the prices the National Health Service (NHS) pays for brand-name drugs not covered by the voluntary Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS). The consultation is seeking views on a price cut on drug prices of between 10% and 20% to ensure the NHS continues to get good value for money.
Viagra generics hit the market in Europe
The patent on Pfizer’s blockbuster erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil) expired on 21 June 2013 in the UK, along with several other European countries.
Nigeria needs to combat fake drugs and ageing facilities
Nigeria has ageing drug-manufacturing facilities and a problem with imports of fake drugs, according to Mr Olakunle Ekundayo, Group Managing Director, Drugfield Pharmaceuticals.
Sun Pharma looking to buy Sweden’s Meda
India-based Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (Sun Pharma) is reportedly in talks to acquire Swedish drugmaker Meda for US$5–6 billion.
Actavis makes definitive agreement with Warner Chilcott
US generic drugmaker Actavis (formerly Watson) and Irish drugmaker Warner Chilcott announced on 20 May 2013 that the two companies had entered into a definitive agreement under which Actavis will acquire Warner Chilcott in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at approximately US$8.5 billion.
Actavis in discussions to buy Warner Chilcott
US generics maker Actavis (formerly Watson) confirmed on 14 May 2013 that the company had entered into discussions to buy Irish drugmaker Warner Chilcott.
