Generics

PLAINSBORO TOWNSHIP, N.J. — India-based drug maker Ranbaxy Labs is looking to expand sales in the U.S. market, according to published reports.

The Associated Press said Ranbaxy CEO Arun Sawhney announced his intentions to position the company where it will be first (or one of the first) on U.S. market with just-approved generic drugs, and also is working to expand generic sales in emerging markets, such as India, China, Brazil and Russia. "The U.S., as a total business, will remain the most important to us," Sawhney was quoted as saying.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday announced the expansion of its vaccination offerings in Florida to include shingles and pneumonia.

BALTIMORE — The Food and Drug Administration has approved Lupin Pharmaceuticals' generic version of a drug used to treat pain and seizure disorders.

Lupin announced the approval of pregabalin capsules in the 25-mg, 50-mg, 75-mg, 100-mg, 150-mg, 200-mg, 225-mg and 300-mg strengths. The drug is used to treat fibromyalgia, partial-onset seizures in adults, neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is asking companies to stop manufacturing and distributing unapproved drugs containing the painkiller oxycodone, the agency said Thursday.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Actavis has received a preliminary approval for a generic drug for treating high blood pressure, the drug maker said Thursday.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has launched generic versions of two drugs to treat bipolar disorder and allergies, the company said Tuesday.

Mylan announced the launch of lithium carbonate extended-release tablets in the 300-mg strength. The drug is a generic version of Noven Therapeutics' Lithobid, various versions of which had sales of about $21 million during the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.

BALTIMORE — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic contraceptive drug made by Lupin Pharmaceuticals, the company said Tuesday.

Lupin announced the approval of norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol tablets in the 0.18/0.025-mg, 0.215/0.025-mg and 0.25/0.025-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, made by Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals. The branded version of the drug had sales of about $421 million during the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.

HYDERABAD, India — Dr. Reddy's has launched a drug designed to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

The generic drug maker launched ibandronate sodium tablets in the 150-mg strength, following approval by the Food and Drug Administration for the drug maker's abbreviated new drug application. The drug is a generic version of Boniva.

The branded drug and generic versions had U.S. sales of approximately $486 million during the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.