Generics

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in favor of Watson Pharmaceuticals during patent litigation concerning the drug maker's abbreviated new drug application for an overactive bladder treatment.

The appeals court affirmed a U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware's decision — made March 31 — that asserted that patents related to Allergan's Sanctura XR (trospium chloride extended-release capsules) are invalid. Watson's ANDA for a generic version of Sanctura XR is pending with the Food and Drug Administration.

PEAPACK, N.J. — Greenstone, the generic pharmaceutical subsidiary of Pfizer, has launched olanzapine tablets.

The drug, which is a generic version of Zyprexa — an Eli Lilly drug used to treat psychiatric disorders — in the 2.5-mg, 5-mg, 7.5-mg, 10-mg, 15-mg and 20-mg strengths.

Generic and branded versions of the drug had sales of about $3.28 billion during the 12-month period ended in January, according to IMS Health.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck announced that the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey ruled against the company in a patent infringement suit against Canada-based drug maker Apotex.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A new Walgreens study released Thursday found that a pharmacist-led training and counseling program for patients receiving an injectable diabetes medication improved medication adherence by 24%.

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — As health departments across the country report record numbers of pertussis cases, the results of a new survey of American adults released today reveal that most parents aren't asking adults close to their infants and young children to get an adult whooping cough booster vaccine, even though they do ask them to follow other basic precautions to safeguard their children's health.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Healthcare Distribution Management Association on Tuesday honored 10 pharmaceutical and consumer product manufacturers through the presentation of its annual Distribution Management Awards for Notable Achievements in Healthcare, or DIANA. The winners were announced Monday evening at the Association’s 2012 Business and Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

ATLANTA — The 2011-2012 influenza season was one of the mildest and latest seasons on record, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The peak percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illnesses of 2.4% was the lowest reported since the system began in its current format in 1997. The peak percentage of visits for ILI during those 14 seasons ranged from 3.2% for the 2002-2003 season to 7.7% during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan announced that its subsidiary has resolved all disputes with Teva pertaining to the sale of generic versions of a sleep disorder drug.