Generics

BURLINGTON, Mass. — Forty blockbuster drugs will use patent exclusivity in the United States between this year and 2020, according to a new study.

PEAPACK, N.J. — Greenstone has launched a version of a drug used to treat fungal infections, the company said.

Greenstone, the generics subsidiary of Pfizer, announced the introduction of voriconazole for oral suspension, an authorized generic version of Pfizer's Vfend. Authorized generics are branded drugs sold at a discount under their generic names.

Greenstone is selling the drug in the 40 mg-per-milliliter strength. Vfend had sales of about $17.1 million during the 12-month period that ended in June, according to IMS Health.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan and a partnering company will be able to sell a generic version of a cancer drug starting in summer 2015, under a court settlement announced Tuesday.

Mylan said that it and Banner Pharmacaps had reached a settlement agreement with Eisai and a subsidiary of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International to resolve a lawsuit filed over their generic version of Targretin (bexarotene) capsules in the 75-mg strength. The drug is used to treat certain forms of T-cell lymphoma.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — In support of the more than 1.1 million people living with HIV in the United States, Walgreens on Monday announced its collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop and evaluate a model of HIV patient-centered care through a national project aimed at advancing clinical integration and medication therapy management. The program is another way Walgreens is extending its commitment to improve HIV prevention and treatment outcomes.

ATLANTA — Flu vaccination prevented an estimated 6.6 million influenza-associated illnesses, 3.2 million medically attended illnesses, and 79,000 hospitalizations during the 2012-2013 flu season, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published Thursday. CDC also reported today that despite the benefits of flu vaccination, only 40% of Americans 6 months and older had reported getting a flu vaccine this season as of early November 2013.

DUBLIN — A subsidiary of Actavis has reached a settlement with a generic drug maker that will allow the launch of a generic version of a treatment for ulcerative colitis in 2015.

Actavis said its Warner Chilcott subsidiary had settled with Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA and Cadila Healthcare over Zydus' generic version of Asacol HD (mesalamine) delayed-release tablets.

SILVER SPRING, Md. – The Food and Drug Administration is planning to limit the use of antimicrobials in food animals in an effort to stem the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the agency said Wednesday.

NEW YORK — Employees who contribute to health savings accounts generally become more engaged in managing their health after enrolling, according to a survey conducted by Buck Consultants, a Xerox Company.

For example, 51% of respondents set aside more money for potential medical costs than before they had HSAs. As many as 29% have more discussions with their doctors about the cost of care and 13% more actively manage their chronic disease.