Generics

MUMBAI, India — Sun Pharma on Sunday announced it will acquire 100% of Ranbaxy in an all-stock transaction valued at $4 billion. 

The combination of Sun Pharma and Ranbaxy creates the fifth-largest specialty generics company in the world and the largest pharmaceutical company in India, Sun Pharma stated. The combined entity will have operations in 65 countries, 47 manufacturing facilities across five continents, and a significant platform of specialty and generic products marketed globally, including 629 abbreviated new drug applications. 

DANBURY, Conn. — IMS Health Holdings on Thursday announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 65 million shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $20 per share, including 52 million shares to be sold by IMS Health and 13 million shares to be sold by selling shareholders. In addition, the selling shareholders have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 9.75 million shares of common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.  

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. — The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy on Wednesday recommended that pharmacies no longer dispense combination drugs containing more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per dosage unit in light of recent regulatory action.  

NABP also advises that pharmacists consult with prescribers to discuss alternative products with lower acetaminophen doses.

PHILADELPHIA — Medication nonadherence is common, but it may be reduced by lower drug costs and co-payments, as well as increased follow-up care, according to a study published earlier this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine. 

Primary nonadherence was defined as not filling an initial prescription within nine months. 

ROCKVILLE, Md. — U.S. retail sales of pet medications reached $8 billion in 2013, including sales through veterinarians, brick-and-mortar retailers and online according to a Packaged Facts report released Wednesday. This figure reflects a 2% increase over 2012 sales and a compound annual growth rate of 7% during the 2009-2013 period.

MIAMI — In an effort to prevent prescription drug abuse, and in collaboration with Informed Families/The Florida Family Partnership, all 622 Publix pharmacy stores in Florida are promoting the Lock Your Meds campaign in April 2014, the supermarket chain announced Tuesday. 

PRINCETON, N.J. — Sandoz on Tuesday announced the U.S. market introduction of its calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate ointment, the first generic version of Leo Pharma’s Taclonex Ointment.

Calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate ointment is a vitamin D analogue and corticosteroid combination product indicated for the topical treatment of psoriasis vulgaris in adults 18 years and older.

Psoriasis affects approximately 2% of the U.S. population. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the condition. 

HORSHAM, Pa. — Symphony Health Solutions on Wednesday released research on the affects of the Affordable Care Act on Medicaid drug spending.

The research found that prescription claims for Medicaid patients increased in January by 10% and in February by 14% over the same periods last year. The study also uncovered that average out-of-pocket cost for contraceptives has dropped more than 58% since 2012.