Generics

SILVER SPRING, Md. and BAUDETTE, Minn. — ANI Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday announced the Food and Drug Administration approval for one new generic and the launch of another. 

 

The company received FDA approval for its generic of oxycodone HCl capsules. The drug will be available in 5-mg dosage strength, and it saw annual sales of $7.5 million for the 12 months ended February 2016, according to IMS Health. The drug is indicated to manage moderate to severe acute and chronic pain when opioid use is appropriate. 

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Aurobindo Pharma announced Monday that it had received final approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its generic Exelon (rivastigmine tartrate) capsules. The drug is indicated to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s-related dementia, as well as mild to moderate dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease. 

 

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday released the results of a study that showed its pharmacy patients who used a multi-faceted medication adherence program had a 3% higher medication adherence rate and lower healthcare costs than those who use other pharmacies. The results were published in Population Health Management. 

 

LONDON — GBI Research published a report Thursday that noted the U.S. market for opioids will be growing in the coming years. According to the report, the opioid market will hit $17.7 billion by 2021, up from $11 billion in 2014, with a compound annual growth rate of 7%. 

 

The report attributes the growth to a concurrent increase in chronic pain in the United States, stemming from an aging population and more incidences of such chronic diseases as diabetes, obesity, cancer, arthritis and cardiovascular disease. 

DEERFIELD, Ill. - The incidence of flu is beginning to abate across California and Oregon, according to the latest Walgreens Flu Index report. However, flu activity is still relatively high across Wyoming, Montana and Kentucky, according to the report. 

 

The top 10 markets with flu activity for the week of March 27 were: 

 

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. — Humanwell Healthcar Group and PuraCap Pharmaceuticals announced Thursday that they would be acquiring 100% of Epic Pharma’s membership interests for $550 million. The purchase of the Laurelton, N.Y.-based company will expand the two businesses’ generics footprint and manufacturing capabilities in the United States. 

 

WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission announced Thursday that it had filed a complaint against Endo Pharmaceuticals and several other drug companies alleging that it violated antitrust laws by paying settlements to drug makers to delay the introduction of generic versions of Opana ER and Lidoderm. 

 

The FTC said this is the first case that’s challenged an agreement to not market an authorized generic of a particular drug, which it calls no-AG commitments.