Generics
Use of generic cardiovascular drugs in China
China has not yet recognized the importance of increasing generics use as a method to reduce drug prices. An analysis of drug prices in hospitals in the Chongqing province in China has shown that there are potentially major savings to be made by increasing the volume of generics used in China [1].
Teva and Ranbaxy settle unlawful competition investigation
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on 19 February 2014 that he had reached a settlement with generics makers Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals (Ranbaxy) and Teva Pharmaceuticals (Teva) for entering into an anti-competitive arrangement.
Compliance and persistence same for generic and brand-name alendronate
A retrospective analysis of data in Italy has shown that patients taking generic and brand-name alendronate showed the same rates of persistence and compliance [1].
FDA starts widespread testing of generics
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allocated US$20 million for testing generics and has already been assessing generics since September 2013, despite no announcement having been made.
Confusion exists in Brazil over generics
Brazilians are confused about generics and are unable to distinguish between a generic drug and a brand-name drug [1].
Gilead to license hepatitis C drug to Indian generics firms
Gilead Sciences (Gilead) has announced plans to license its breakthrough hepatitis C drug Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) to at least three Indian generics manufacturers. The announcement made in February 2014, comes three months after the company faced a ‘patent opposition’ filed at India’s Patent Office, which aimed to block them from gaining a patent for Sovaldi in India.
Sandoz gains Belgian approval for generic inhalation device
In an example of the innovative nature of generics manufacturers, Sandoz, the generics unit of Swiss pharma giant Novartis, announced on 12 February 2014 that it had received marketing authorization in Belgium for AirFluSal Forspiro, an innovative new inhaler for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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).
