Generics

WASHINGTON — A new analysis from Avalere Health released Monday found that consumers purchasing insurance through exchanges are twice as likely to face utilization management controls on prescription medications compared with people enrolled in employer-sponsored insurance plans. Utilization management controls, including prior authorization and step therapy, are administrative steps that patients and their physicians must complete to demonstrate appropriate use of the drugs.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — AmerisourceBergen on Monday announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire a minority stake in Profarma Distribuidora de Produtos Farmacêuticos S.A., a leading pharmaceutical wholesaler in Brazil. In addition, AmerisourceBergen and Profarma will establish a joint venture for specialty distribution and services. 

DUBLIN — Actavis earlier this week announced that it has entered into an agreement with Noven Pharmaceuticals to settle all outstanding patent litigation related to Actavis' generic version of Daytrana (methylphenidate transdermal system). Daytrana is a CNS stimulant indicated for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

DURHAM, N.C. — New guidelines for using statins to treat high cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease are projected to result in 12.8 million more U.S. adults taking the drugs, according to a research team led by Duke Medicine scientists. Overall, of the 12.8 million additional U.S. adults recommended for statin use under the new guidelines, 10.4 million are people who would be prescribed the drugs for preventive care. Of those preventive users, 8.3 million would be people over the age of 60. 

WASHINGTON — Rx Response earlier this week established a new membership structure that will enable individual companies in the bio-pharmaceutical supply chain to become direct members.

MUMBAI and BALTIMORE — Pharma Major Lupin announced that Lupin Pharmaceuticals, its U.S. subsidiary, has launched niacin extended-release tablets USP in 500-mg, 750-mg and 1,000-mg strengths.

The drug is the generic version of AbbVie’s Niaspan tablets. It's used to reduce elevated TC, LDL-C, Apo B and TG levels, and to increase HDL-C in patients with primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia, the company said.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Two-thirds of Americans are satisfied with the way the healthcare system is working for them today, according to a Gallup poll released earlier this week. While health insurance status was a major determinant of this satisfaction, even one-third of those who didn't have health insurance still reported they were satisfied.

OTTAWA, Ontario — Last year, $29.3 billion was spent on prescription drugs in Canada, but the annual growth rate was the second-lowest in more than 20 years, according to a new report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information released earlier this month.