Generics/General
UK Labour Party proposes state run generics manufacturer
In a speech at the 2019 Labour Party Conference, leader Jeremy Corbyn introduced the ‘Medicines For The Many’ initiative, which aims to put ‘public health before private profit’ and includes plans to establish a state-owned pharmaceutical company to manufacture generic medicines in the UK.
Ranitidine recalls escalate as FDA declares ‘unacceptable’ levels of NDMA in the drug
On 2 October 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared that it had found ‘unacceptable’ levels of the probable human carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the heartburn drug Zantac (ranitidine) and its generic versions.
Carcinogen contamination halts distribution of generic Zantac
Heartburn drug Zantac (ranitidine) is being taken off markets worldwide following findings that the medications may be contaminated with cancer-causing agents.
FDA’s global inspection strategy strengthened
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has implemented a modernized approach to ensure the safety and quality of globally produced innovator and generic medicines. Through its Program Alignment, FDA’s Office of Regulatory Affairs has modernized its workforce and approach to improving public health to keep up with globalization and increasingly complex supply chains. Since FDA implemented Program Alignment in 2017, the regulation of generic medicines has become increasingly strategic, risk-based and efficient.
China issues list of generics needed in the country
Authorities in China have introduced an initiative which the country hopes will boost the development of generics by encouraging pharmaceutical companies to develop and produce them.
Gilead’s Truvada will face generics competition in 2020
Gilead Sciences’ HIV blockbuster Truvada will face generics competition in the US in 2020, a year earlier than expected.
Pharmacy benefit managers use spread pricing to increase profits in Michigan
A report released in April 2019 raises new questions about the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) in Michigan, specifically their use of spread pricing to increase profits at the expense of pharmacists, taxpayers and patients.
Multi-state lawsuit alleges widespread generic price fixing in the US
A sweeping lawsuit filed on 10 May 2019 by over 40 US states alleges that a number of major drug companies conspired to inflate the prices of generic drugs by as much as 1,000%.
US Court rejects Teva’s lawsuit over generic Restasis
The US District Court for the District of Columbia has discarded lawsuits from generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) regarding its first-to-file exclusivity rights on a generic version of the blockbuster dry eye drug Restasis (cyclosporine).
FDA releases statement on generic drug quality
A statement released by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) responds to recent press reports of quality issues and outlines the Agency’s ongoing efforts to maintain the quality of generic drugs manufactured both in the US and overseas.
