Generics

ALLEGAN, Mich. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for kidney disease made by Perrigo.

Perrigo announced the approval of calcium acetate capsules, a generic version of Nabi Biopharmaceuticals' Phoslo Gelcaps. The drug is used to treat end-stage renal failure.

Perrigo settled a patent infringement lawsuit concerning the drug last year, though terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Annual sales of the branded version of the drug and generic versions were $95 million, according to Wolters Kluwer Health.

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — Government authorities are working to educate independent pharmacy owners on prescription drug abuse, an independent pharmacy network said.

In an event sponsored by American Associated Pharmacies in San Diego, Drug Enforcement Administration deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Diversion Control Joseph Rannazzisi discussed topics related to prescription drug abuse. Rannazzisi explained how drug abusers divert prescription drugs through doctor shopping, forged prescriptions, theft and the Internet.

HYDERABAD, India — A generic drug maker in India and a German pharmaceutical company will collaborate to develop biosimilars.

Dr. Reddy's Labs and Merck KGaA subsidiary Merck Serono announced a partnership to develop biosimilar cancer treatments, most of them monoclonal antibodies, for global markets. Based in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck KGaA operates in the United States under the name EMD to distinguish itself from U.S. drug maker Merck.

ALEXANDRIA,Va. — Five pharmacy organizations on Thursday wrote Congress in opposition of an amendment to the Food and Drug Administration Safety Innovation Act due to its potential to delay patients' timely relief from chronic pain while increasing drug costs.
 

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Actavis has launched a generic drug for high blood pressure and chest pain, the company said.

Actavis, which recently agreed to an acquisition by Watson Pharmaceuticals, announced the launch of nifedipine extended-release tablets in the 90-mg strength, a generic version of Bayer's Adalat CC.

Various versions of the drug had sales of about $23 million in 2011, according to IMS Health.

NEW YORK — The slow economy, cost cutting and lower use of services by patients looking to save money will combine to cause healthcare spending to grow at a "historically" low rate in 2013, according to a new report released Thursday.

WASHINGTON — As the Food and Drug Administration works to finalize draft guidance related to the development of biosimilar products, pharmacy groups recently weighed in with recommendations to facilitate the entry of lower-cost products into the biologic and specialty pharmaceutical markets.

NEW YORK — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has transferred its stock listing from NASDAQ to the New York Stock Exchange, the drug maker said Wednesday.

The company began trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "TEVA." On hand Wednesday to ring the Opening Bell and celebrate the company's first day of trading on NYSE were Teva's new president and CEO Jeremy Levin, as well as board chairman Phillip Frost, CFO Eyal Desheh, Teva Americas CEO William Marth and employees from Teva's businesses around the world.