Generics

Hospira’s generic antibiotic Meropenem approved in US

Generics/News | Posted 09/07/2010

On 22 June 2010, Hospira announced that it had received approval from the FDA for its generic antibiotic, Meropenem. This is the first generic launched in the antibiotic class and Hospira is the first to market.

Teva gains approval for generic breast cancer and anti-depressant drugs

Generics/News | Posted 09/07/2010

The Israeli generics’ giant Teva Pharmaceuticals is racing ahead in the generics game with the announcement of the approval by the FDA of two new drugs for treatment of breast cancer and depression.

Bioequivalence testing for generics

Generics/Research | Posted 08/07/2010

Bioequivalence studies, consisting of single-dose pharmacokinetic evaluations, are required for the registration of most generic drug formulations. In general, bioequivalence testing provides a useful comparison for different products containing the same active ingredient. Bioequivalence studies therefore play a key role in the development of new generic products as well as in the post-marketing phase of innovator products.

Astra Zeneca losing generic esomeprazole battle

Generics/News | Posted 02/07/2010

On 17 June 2010, AstraZeneca announced that its efforts in Canada to stop the launch of a generic version of its patented, stomach-acid-relief drug Nexium (esomeprazole), were rejected by the Canadian court.

Bayer sues Teva over generic Yaz contraceptive

Generics/News | Posted 02/07/2010

On 15 June 2010, German-based Bayer Schering Pharma (Bayer) announced that it was suing the Israeli generic giant, Teva Pharmaceuticals (Teva), for false advertising and patent infringement in connection with Teva’s generic oral contraceptive, Gianvi. Teva’s product is sold as a generic version of Bayer’s leading oral contraceptive Yaz.

FDA creates new division to speed up generic approval times

Generics/General | Posted 25/06/2010

As the FDA’s Office of Generic Drugs (OGD) struggles to keep up with its growing backlog of abbreviated new drug approvals (ANDAs), the office is creating a new chemistry division that it hopes will allow speedier generic drug approvals.

Ranbaxy launches generic antiplatelet agent Prasita in India

Generics/News | Posted 25/06/2010

On 10 June 2010, Indian-based Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (Ranbaxy) announced the launch of a generic version of Prasugrel in India. The product, called Prasita, is an antiplatelet agent for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Sanofi-aventis blocks generic Allegra

Generics/News | Posted 25/06/2010

On 14 June 2010, a US court backed sanofi-aventis and Albany Molecular Research in their bid to prevent Dr Reddy’s selling a generic version of the anti-allergenic medication, Allegra-D 24 Hour (fexofenadine HCl/pseudoephedrine HCl).

Teva forces Dutch market to use pre-filled MTX syringes

Generics/News | Posted 25/06/2010

Until recently, the generic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug methotrexate (MTX) was available in The Netherlands in large vials, of which (hospital) pharmacists prepared ready-to-use (RTU) syringes for the weekly treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Are generic medicines in Europe too expensive?

Generics/Research | Posted 18/06/2010

by Professor Steven Simoens, Research Centre for Pharmaceutical Care and Pharmaco-economics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium