Generics

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — In what could symbolize the so-called "patent cliff" that an executive from healthcare market research firm IMS Health spoke of at a recent trade show, a regional mass merchandise chain is taking what used to be the world's top-selling drug and giving it away for free.

JERUSALEM — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a biosimilar drug made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for a condition that results from certain chemotherapy treatments, the drug maker said Thursday.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Generic drug maker Hospira has acquired a manufacturing and research and development center from an Indian drug maker for $200 million, Hospira said Wednesday.

Hospira said it bought the Food and Drug Administration-approved active pharmaceutical ingredient factory and R&D facility in Aurangabad, India, from Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, saying it would reduce Hospira's costs, support its supplying of antibiotics and pave the way for future API development.

TORONTO — Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart announced on Thursday that the Supreme Court of Canada has granted its application for leave to appeal to Ontario’s ban on private-label generic drugs.

“The company respects the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada and is pleased with the outcome,” the retailer stated. A hearing date has not yet been set, and no further details were provided.

According to Reuters, Canada’s Katz Group also has been granted leave to challenge the ban.

WASHINGTON — The National Council on Aging last week introduced a new national Flu + You campaign to improve vaccination rates among seniors.

DENVER — While the growth in healthcare costs remains a threat in the United States, the growth in drug expenditures is moderating, but numerous opportunities exist for retail, according to a speech delivered Tuesday morning at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' 2012 Pharmacy and Technology Conference in Denver by Doug Long, VP industry relations of healthcare industry research firm IMS Health.

MUMBAI, India — The Food and Drug Administration has determined that generic drug maker Caraco is in compliance with relevant paragraphs of the consent decree and may resume operations at its manufacturing facility and packaging sites in Detriot and Wixom, Mich., Caraco's parent company Sun Pharmaceutical Industries said.

During their inspection, the FDA reviewed the certification reports for heart failure treatment Carvedilol USP, as well as antibiotic Paramomycin USP, and determined Caraco may resume production of only these two drugs.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic version of a diabetes drug made by Takeda, the agency said Friday.