Pharma News
EC accuses J&J and Novartis of delaying generic fentanyl
On 31 January 2013 the European Commission (EC) sent a statement of objections, to US-based Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Switzerland-based Novartis accusing them of delayed entry of a generic painkiller.
Generic Doxil approval may help alleviate drug shortages
FDA announced on 4 February 2013 that the agency had approved the first generic version of the cancer drug Doxil (doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection).
Top 10 most read GaBI Online articles in 2012
2012 was a busy year with lots of developments in biosimilars from regulatory guidelines to comparability issues. Biosimilars remain as the hot topic of the year for GaBI Online.
Brand-name drugmaker can be sued for harm caused by generic drug
On 4 January 2013 the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that Pfizer can be sued for failing to warn about a drug’s risks by a patient who claimed he was injured by a generic version of its gastric reflux medicine Reglan (metoclopramide).
Teva makes South Korean joint venture agreement
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) announced on 16 December 2012 that it had made an agreement with Handok Pharmaceuticals (Handok) to establish a business venture in South Korea.
Teva cost-cutting and re-organization
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries’ (Teva’s) new Chief Executive vowed to reshape the drugmaker and reduce annual costs by up to US$2 billion over the next five years, making it into ‘the most indispensable medicines company in the world’.
Eli Lilly and Strides Arcolab in generics deal
Pharma giant Eli Lilly and India-based generics manufacturer Strides Arcolab announced on 5 December 2012 a collaboration to market the latter’s generic cancer drugs in emerging markets.
Sanofi to acquire Colombian generics maker
Healthcare major Sanofi announced on 2 October 2012 that it has signed an agreement to acquire Colombian generics manufacturer Laboratorios Genfar (Genfar), making Sanofi a market leader in Colombia and expand its portfolio of affordable pharmaceuticals in Latin America.
GPhA drug shortages plan gets FTC approval
On 8 August 2012 the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a positive advisory opinion to the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) approving its Accelerated Recovery Initiative (ARI), which hopes to address drug shortage issues, after the FTC found the ARI will not be anticompetitive as sensitive information will be protected.
Fresenius cashes in on drug shortages
German healthcare conglomerate Fresenius has posted substantial growth across all regions and product areas during the first half of 2012 for its US business Fresenius Kabi. The growth has been largely attributed to rivals’ problems with supplying generics on the drug shortages list in the US.
