Generics/News

European Parliament gives go-ahead for EU patent

Generics/News | Posted 18/03/2011

Despite doubts over the legality of the proposed linguistic regime, the European Parliament gave its green light on 15 February 2011 for use of a rarely used provision of the Lisbon Treaty known as ‘enhanced cooperation’ to launch a common EU patent system without Italy and Spain on board.

Teva again files citizen petition against generic Copaxone

Generics/News | Posted 18/03/2011

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries announced on 12 December 2010 that the company had filed another Citizen’s Petition (CP) with the FDA requesting that the agency refuse to approve any abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for generic versions of Copaxone (glatiramer acetate injection).

Teva setbacks

Generics/News | Posted 11/03/2011

Teva axes 200 jobs as facility remains closed

After stopping all production at its plant in Irvine, California, USA; in April 2010, Teva announced on 20 January 2011 that all 200 jobs will go.

Race you for US$1.8 billion

Generics/News | Posted 11/03/2011

The market for proton pump inhibitor pantoprazole in the US is estimated to be worth Euros 1.3 billion a year, and drug companies are scrambling to sell generic versions now that Pfizer’s patent has expired.

Generics to cash in on swine flu epidemic

Generics/News | Posted 11/03/2011

Indian drug manufacturer Natco Pharma has filed an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) with the FDA for a generic version of Tamiflu (oseltamivir), challenging Gilead Science’s patent protection on the drug.

Impax challenges Simcor patent

Generics/News | Posted 25/02/2011

On 26 November 2010, generic drug maker Impax Laboratories announced that it is challenging the patent covering Abbott Laboratories’ cholesterol-treatment drug, Simcor (niacin/simvastatin).

Pharmacy chains in Norway do not stock generics

Generics/News | Posted 04/02/2011

It turns out that pharmacy chains in Norway do not stock the cheapest generic products. This finding came after the Norwegian Medicines Agency (NoMA) investigated after receiving a complaint from the British generics manufacturer Arrow that its products were not sold in branches of the three largest pharmacy chains in Norway: Apotek1 (Phoenix), Vitusapotek (Celesio) and Alliance/Boots Apotek (Alliance Boots).

Profits for generics’ giant Teva soar

Generics/News | Posted 31/01/2011

Israel-based generics’ giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has reported a third quarter 2010 profit rise of 47%, mainly attributed to sales of its multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone (glatiramer acetate), its acquisition of Ratiopharm and generic launches in the US.

Ranbaxy gets 180-day exclusivity for Alzheimer’s generic

Generics/News | Posted 31/01/2011

On 30 November 2010, generics’ giant and India’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, Ranbaxy Laboratories, announced the launch of a generic version of Pfizer’s blockbuster Alzheimer’s treatment, Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride), in the US.