Generics

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals is suing the Food and Drug Administration, alleging that an agency decision would improperly delay its release of a generic drug for diabetes, the company said Wednesday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for enlarged prostate made by generic drug maker Wockhardt, the company said.

Wockhardt, based in Mumbai, India, announced the approval of alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets in the 10-mg strength, which is designed to treat enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The drug is a generic version of Sanofi's Uroxatral. Various versions of the drug have sales of about $81.5 million, according to IMS Health.

GURGAON, India — Consolidated sales for generic drug maker Ranbaxy Labs totaled $588 million in the second quarter ended June 30, a 28% rise over the year-ago period, the company said.

The drug maker reported that North American sales soared 140% over the year-ago period to a total of $272 million, aided by strong base business. U.S. sales for Ranbaxy were $255 million for the quarter, thanks to strong base business and exclusivity sales of such drugs as atorvastatin and atorvastatin and amlodipine (Lipitor and Caduet, respectively).

MUMBAI, India — Sun Pharmaceutical Industries will take Taro Pharmaceutical Industries private, under a merger agreement between the two companies announced Sunday.

Sun, based in India, has sought to buy Israel-based Taro since 2007 and owns about 77.5% of the latter's shares.

After the merger is complete, Taro will become a privately held company and wholly owned subsidiary of Sun. Taro shareholders will receive $39.50 per share.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has launched a generic drug used to treat sleep disorders, the company said Friday.

The generic drug maker announced the launch of modafinil tablets in the 100-mg and 200-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Provigil, made by Cephalon — a company that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries acquired last year — and used to treat narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea and shift work disorder.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Hospira has relaunched a generic chemotherapy drug for the U.S. market, the generic drug maker said Thursday.

The company, which specializes in generic injectables, announced the relaunch of oxaliplatin, a version of Sanofi's Eloxatin.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Drug maker Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched a generic chemotherapy drug, the company said Thursday.

Sagent announced the launch of oxaliplatin, a generic version of Sanofi's Eloxatin.

Various versions of the drug had sales of about $1.7 billion during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

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NEW YORK — A new program in Texas aims to track prescribed controlled substances to catch dealers and abusers, according to published reports.

The Associated Press reported that the Texas Department of Public Safety had created Prescription Access in Texas, an online database that healthcare professionals and law enforcement officials can immediately access to see what drugs a patient has received in the state in the last year.