Generics
Pfizer settles with Teva but clashes with Watson over generics
Pfizer has gained a small reprieve from generic competition against its blockbuster cholesterol-reducing drug Lipitor, at least in the UK, by making a deal with Teva UK. However, the pharma giant has sued Watson Pharmaceuticals (Watson) to try and stop it selling its generic version of Embeda (morphine and naltrexone).
Industry adjustments as patents expire
Analysts are making some positive predictions as they consider the implications of the continued patent expiry of many blockbuster originator drugs.
Generics saved US$931 billion over last 10 years
On 21 September 2011, the US Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) released the results of an independent analysis showing that the use of generic drugs in the US has saved patients and the healthcare system US$931 billion between 2001 and 2010.
Teva takes over joint venture solidifying its position in Japan
Teva announced on 26 September 2011 that it will acquire the 50% interest formerly held by Kowa Company in Teva’s Japanese joint venture for US$150 million, giving it full control.
Actavis launches generic olanzapine in 11 European markets
Eli Lilly is facing yet more pressure as generics makers queue up to produce copies of its blockbuster antipsychotic drug Zyprexa (olanzapine). On 30 September 2011, Actavis announced that it had launched generic olanzapine tablets in Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Sweden, The Netherlands and the UK, immediately after the patents on Zyprexa expired on 26 and 27 September.
Japanese government promoting generics
Japan is currently the world’s second largest pharmaceutical market, surpassed only by the US. The Japanese prescription drug market was valued at US$96 billion in 2010, however, only around 23% of its prescription drug sales (by volume) are generics [1].
Generic atorvastatin may be better than Crestor
AstraZeneca’s leading cholesterol drug Crestor (rosuvastatin) failed to show a statistically significant benefit over Pfizer’s Lipitor (atorvastatin), according to results of a phase IIIb trial. The results could prove to be good news for generics manufacturers, boosting sales of generic atorvastatin, soon to compete with Crestor.
FDA blocks Indian API supplier
In a bid to get tough on foreign manufacturers, FDA has issued a warning letter and a US import ban to an Indian-based active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturer.
Debate over biosimilars exclusivity period in free trade agreement
With the eighth round of negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement underway in Chicago, USA, on 12 September 2011 Democrat senators were split on the inclusion of intellectual property provisions that are consistent with US biologicals exclusivity standards, i.e. 12 years of data exclusivity.
Generics production pulled in different directions
A few months ago it was predicted that generics manufacturers were moving ahead with the development and commercialisation of better manufacturing technologies. The largest firms had now developed to the point at which they can start to develop new manufacturing technologies and thus lower their costs. This was going to lead, on the one hand, to lower prices for products and at the same time, higher profits for those firms able to develop in this way, who were then going to further consolidate their market position.
