Generics

Impact of coupons on adherence to statins

Once patents expire, in an effort to maintain market share, originator manufacturers often initiate promotional activities such as drug samples and co-pay discount coupons that reduce patients out-of-pocket costs associated with the purchase of brand-name drugs.

Effects of income, competition and procurement on drug prices in emerging markets

Drugs are least affordable relative to income in low-income countries, according to an analysis of income, competition and procurement on drug prices in emerging markets [1].

Forest Labs files lawsuit to stop generic memantine

Forest Laboratories and Forest Laboratories Holdings (Forest) announced on 31 January 2014 that the company has filed a lawsuit in the US against several generics makers for their generic versions of Forest’s blockbuster Alzheimer’s disease treatment Namenda XR (memantine).

Access to medicines in Shaanxi province China

Although generics in the Shaanxi province of China are significantly cheaper than their brand-name equivalents there is still room for improvement, according to a study of the prices and availability of selected medicines in the province [1].

Generics game changer for Ireland

A new pharmacy in Dublin, Ireland, is offering customers savings of up to 80% on the price of drugs by focussing on generics. The news comes in light of legislation passed by both houses of Ireland’s parliament in May 2013, which encourages wider use of generics and generics substitution [1].

Switching to generic cyclosporine A after heart transplant safe

Cyclosporine A is an immunosuppressant drug widely used in organ transplantation to prevent rejection. A study of switching between originator and generic drugs showed that the generic was well tolerated and that there were no differences between the originator and generic drugs [1].

FDA issues Ranbaxy with Form 483 for violations at Toansa plant

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals (Ranbaxy) is coming under scrutiny from US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) once again. One of the company’s key Indian facilities at Toansa, Punjab, has been issued a Form 483 by FDA.

ANI Pharmaceuticals acquires 31 generics from Teva

US-based brand-name and generics manufacturer ANI Pharmaceuticals (ANI) announced on 26 December 2013 that it had acquired 31 previously marketed generic drugs from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva).

Sandoz gains Danish approval for innovative asthma inhaler

Sandoz, the generics unit of Swiss pharma giant Novartis, announced on 18 December 2013 that it had received Danish marketing authorization for AirFluSal Forspiro, a novel inhaler for patients with asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Generics applications under review by EMA – 2013 Q4

Last update:  20 January 2014

Generic medicines in Europe can be approved either centrally via the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or nationally via the local regulatory body [1]. Approval by EMA takes place by using a centralized procedure. This leads to approval of the product in all 28 European Union (EU) Member States and in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. At a country level, if approval in a single EU Member State only is required, this can take place using the national procedure. However, as soon as a company seeks approval in two or more Member States, a decentralized procedure or mutual recognition procedure must be used [2].

First generics of Cymbalta approved by FDA

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on 11 December 2013 that it had approved the first generic versions of duloxetine delayed-release capsules, a prescription medicine used to treat depression and other conditions.

Recent reforms and initiatives in Scotland to encourage the prescribing of generic drugs and the implications

Scotland has introduced a number of reforms and initiatives in recent years to enhance the prescribing of low cost generics, thereby saving money to help fund increased volumes and new premium priced drugs [1, 2]. However, there have been situations where no specific initiatives have been introduced [3, 4]. Consequently, analysis of the various initiatives in Scotland could provide examples to other countries seeking additional measures to further enhance their prescribing efficiency.

Sandoz makes deal with Shire for authorized Adderall XR generic

Shire announced on 2 December 2013 that its subsidiary Shire US had entered into an agreement to supply an authorized generic version of its attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug Adderall XR (amphetamine, dextroamphetamine mixed salts) to Sandoz.

Understanding pharmaceutical expenditure

In the previous three articles by Vogler and co-authors price and volume components of pharmaceutical expenditure were discussed. In the final article of the series, some of the methodological challenges that can be faced in interpreting and analysing expenditure data are addressed and the challenges faced by the authors’ own survey of pharmaceutical expenditure data across European Union Member States are discussed [1].

Rising generics use triggers increased worldwide regulation

The increasing use of lower cost generics is prompting regulators across the globe to introduce stricter regulations focusing on the quality of these products.

Hikma makes deal to enhance delivery of generic injectables

Hikma Pharmaceuticals (Hikma) announced on 20 November 2013 that it had signed a long-term commercial supply contract with Unilife Corporation (Unilife) for the use of Unifill pre-filled syringes with a range of generic injectable drugs.

Volume components of pharmaceutical expenditure

In the third of a series of four articles on pharmaceutical expenditure, Vogler and co-authors explain the different methodological approaches to measuring pharmaceutical utilization and outline some of the volume-control policies in place across Europe [1].

FDA approves first rabeprazole generics for treatment of GERD

On 8 November 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the agency had approved the first generics of Aciphex (rabeprazole) delayed-release tablets, used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults and adolescents (ages 12 and up).

FDA awards grant to study generic transplant drug tacrolimus

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has awarded a federal grant worth US$2.3 million to researchers at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, in order to continue studies into tacrolimus, a drug commonly used to stop rejection in transplant patients.

First generic 30 mg Focalin XR capsules approved

On 18 November 2013, Mylan Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of generic dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release (ER) capsules, 30 mg.

Price components of pharmaceutical expenditure

In the second of a series of four articles on pharmaceutical expenditure, Vogler and co-authors take a top down approach to the concept of pharmaceutical expenditure and its use as an indicator in healthcare accounting. Here, they look at the differences in outpatient and inpatient price types [1].

Ranbaxy sues Actavis over generic acne drug

Indian generics giant Ranbaxy Laboratories (Ranbaxy) is suing US generic drugmaker Actavis to try to stop the latter marketing a generic version of Ranbaxy’s acne drug Absorica (isotretinoin).

Pharmaceutical expenditure as a health-expenditure indicator

Pharmaceutical expenditure is a major indicator in health-expenditure accounting, and is particularly useful to policymakers and researchers in making regional, country and international comparisons, forecasting, and assessing the effect of pharmaceutical policies [1].

South African HCPs told to ‘get their facts straight’ on generics

The South African National Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (NAPM) urged healthcare professionals (HCPs) to ‘get their facts straight’ with respect to generics at a special workshop held at the Johannesburg Country Club on 17 October 2013.

Good news for Ranbaxy plant in US

Ranbaxy Laboratory’s (Ranbaxy) US-based plant, Ohm Laboratories (Ohm), has successfully passed an FDA inspection, according to an announcement on the generic drugmaker’s website.

Canada-EU trade deal will extend patents for two years

On 18 October 2013, Canada and the European Union (EU) reached agreement on a trade deal, which will free the movement of goods, services, investment and labour between the two regions, but has been criticized by generics makers for delaying access to medicines.

FDA approves generic tobramycin inhalation solution

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) announced on 14 October 2013 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had granted approval for its abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for tobramycin inhalation solution.

Making generics of Advair could be difficult

GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) fears of generics competition for its chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder treatment Advair (fluticasone/salmeterol) may be unfounded according to generics manufacturer Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva).

US court paves way for Nexium competition

AstraZeneca announced on 2 October 2013 that the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit had lifted a temporary injunction against the US launch of Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s (Hanmi’s) esomeprazole strontium product.

Forest initiates lawsuits over generic Savella

Forest Laboratories and Forest Laboratories Holdings (Forest) announced that Forest and Royalty Pharma Collection Trust (Royalty Pharma) are suing several generics manufacturers regarding generics of Savella (milnacipran).

Australians pay too much for generics

According to the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF), a body which represents healthcare consumers, Australians are paying way too much for their generic drugs.

FDA approves generic version of cancer drug

FDA announced on 16 September 2013 that it had approved Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva’s) generic version of Roche’s cancer drug Xeloda (capecitabine).

Transplant coordinators’ perception of generic immunosuppressants

Transplant coordinators associate the availability of multiple generic immunosuppression therapies with increased patient confusion, according to a study by Parker and co-authors [1].

Generics applications under review by EMA – 2013 Q3

Last update: 4 October 2013 

Generic medicines in Europe can be approved either centrally via the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or nationally via the local regulatory body [1]. Approval by EMA takes place by using a centralized procedure. This leads to approval of the product in all 27 EU Member States and in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. At a country level, if approval in a single EU Member State only is required, this can take place using the national procedure. However, as soon as a company seeks approval in two or more Member States, a decentralized procedure or mutual recognition procedure must be used [2].

Generics of fish oil cholesterol treatment get go ahead

A US appeals court ruled on 12 September 2013 that generics companies can develop their own versions of Lovaza, a fish oil-derived drug used to treat high cholesterol, which is currently marketed in the US by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

Australian generics association releases new code of practice

Australia’s Generic Medicines Industry Association (GMiA) announced on 26 September 2013 the release of the draft third edition of the GMiA Code of Practice, which incorporates a number of new amendments.