Generics

PRINCETON, N.J. — Kremers Urban Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of UCB, announced the launch of rabeprazole sodium delayed-release tablets. The drug is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults and adolescents, according to the FDA.

The product is the bioequivalent to Aciphex from Eisai. Kremers Urban rabeprazole sodium delayed-release tablets are available in 20-mg strength in both 30- and 90-count bottles.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration recently approved two "robotic pills," or pills that place an image camera or ingestible sensors into the gastrointestinal tract, according to a report published earlier this week by the Wall Street Journal. 

Other robotic pills still in development include one backed by Google — a pill that would replace injectable drugs, the report noted. 

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Tricare for Life beneficiaries soon will receive letters guiding them to Tricare Pharmacy Home Delivery or a military pharmacy for some prescriptions as part of a congressionally mandated pilot program, officials of the military healthcare plan reported Tuesday.

Tricare for Life is secondary coverage for Tricare beneficiaries who have both Medicare Parts A and B in the United States and U.S. territories.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday announced the initiation of the Secure Supply Chain Pilot Program to enhance the security of imported drugs. 

In August 2013, the FDA published a notice in the Federal Register (78 FR 51192) to solicit companies to voluntarily submit applications for participation in this two-year program. Thirteen prequalified companies have now been designated to take part, and will receive expedited entry for the importation of up to five selected drug products into the United States.

ATLANTA — While flu activity declined slightly from the week prior, incidence of influenza-like illness rates remained above the national baseline for the week ended Feb. 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday. 

Six states were still experiencing high ILI activity, including Arkansas, Connecticut, Kansas, New York, Oklahoma and Texas.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — In a blog post updated Friday, Food and Drug Administration commissioner Margaret Hamburg addressed two challenges facing Indian drug manufacturers — approval times for abbreviated new drug applications and quality inspections. 

From 2012 to 2017, global spending on medicines will increase from $205 billion to $235 billion, according to IMS Health. By 2017, 36% of the spend will be on generics, a number that is 9% more than the percentage in 2013.

As a result of the patent cliff, generic drug manufacturers have thrived while branded pharmaceutical manufacturers have suffered. Branded pharmaceutical manufacturers are expected to suffer even more in the coming years, as many more important patents will lose exclusivity.

Now that most generics have declined in cost, plans will look for new ways to control health spend and ensure that generics are being used whenever possible. Prescription drug spending is down, and generic drugs made up 77% of all 2012 prescriptions, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Could this generic utilization percentage go even higher as a result of recent healthcare legislation?

Medicaid is increasingly becoming a managed care program, and states are looking to entities like pharmacy benefit managers to help them manage their drug spend.