Generics

BALTIMORE — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic psychiatric drug made by Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Lupin said Thursday.

The Indian drug maker announced the approval of escitalopram tablets in the 5-mg, 10-mg and 20-mg strengths, used for acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder in adults and adolescents and for acute treatment of general anxiety disorder in adults.

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — The American Academy of Pediatrics on Tuesday recommended annual trivalent seasonal influenza immunization for all individuals ages 6 months and older, including all children, adolescents and young adults.

The updated policy statement, “Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2012-2013” published in the October 2012 issue of Pediatrics, includes guidance on vaccine formulations, dosing and administration, as well as current treatment guidance for antiviral medications.

HYDERABAD, India — Generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic drug for treating high blood pressure, the company said.

Dr. Reddy's announced the launch of metoprolol succinate extended-release tablets in the 25-mg, 50-mg, 100-mg and 200-mg strengths. The drug will be available in bottle counts of 100 and 500.

The drug is a generic version of AstraZeneca's Toprol-XL, branded and generic versions of which had sales of about $1.13 billion during the 12-month period that ended in June, according to IMS Health.

 SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched a drug used to treat complications related to chemotherapy, the drug maker said.

The Schaumburg, Ill.-based company announced the launch of ondansetron injection, used to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with emetogenic cancer chemotherapy and also to prevent nausea and vomiting that follows surgery.

Various versions of the drug had sales of $49 million during the 12-month period that ended in June, according to IMS Health.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo is seeking regulatory approval for what it called the first generic version of a drug for treating bronchospasm.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has settled a patent litigation suit with Pfizer concerning a drug for treating bladder disorders, Mylan said Friday.

The Pittsburgh-based company said it settled with Pfizer over its generic version of Detrol LA (tolterodine tartrate) extended-release capsules in the 2-mg and 4-mg strengths. The drug is used to treat urge urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — While regulations meant to control the prices of drugs dispensed through physician offices for injured workers can keep costs down without limiting access, employers in many states may end up paying more than twice what they would have if the workers had gone to a pharmacy instead, according to a new study.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has launched an application version of the reference guide to its drugs, the generic drug maker said Thursday.

The company announced what it called the first ever app of its Generic Brand Reference Guide, a free reference for healthcare professionals, patients and pharmacy students that enables the fast identification of brand and generic drugs. The 2012 print edition of the GBR was made available in a pocket-sized format earlier this year.