Generics

Given all the attention around the hotly contested Express Scripts-Medco merger, Drug Store News thought we’d ask our C2B consumer reporters, if all things were equal and every pharmacy accepted their insurance, what would be the most important factors in choosing a pharmacy? Ninety-four percent said location/convenience, followed by customer service (50%). That's just a taste of what they told us.

Get set for another decade of explosive growth throughout the over-the-counter category with the familiar switch as a catalyst. 


The Food and Drug Administration public meeting that took place last month addressed a proposal to expand the switch paradigm by utilizing the latest in communications and diagnostics technology and/or incorporating the most accessible healthcare professional — the retail pharmacist — into the self-care decision protocol. 


PITTSBURGH — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for lipid disorders made by Mylan, the company said Friday.

Mylan announced the approval and launch of fluvastatin capsules in the 20-mg and 40-mg strengths, a generic version of Novartis' Lescol. The drug is used to treat hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia, as well as prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The drug had sales of $27.9 million in 2011, according to IMS Health.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart and healthcare partner Humana are out with a new prescription drug program called Rx4Value that guarantees savings and relies on the proven strategy of improving affordability by restricting choice to generic drugs.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Generic drug maker Impax Labs is challenging the patent protection on a drug used to treat postherpetic neuralgia, the company said Thursday.

Impax announced that it had filed a regulatory approval application with the Food and Drug Administration for gabapentin tablets, a generic version of Depomed's Gralise, in the 300-mg and 600-mg strengths.

NEW YORK — A federal judge in Pittsburgh will rule "later" on whether to block or allow a merger between pharmacy benefit managers Medco Health Solutions and Express Scripts, and is considering a request by two trade groups seeking to keep Medco's operations and assets separate from ESI while the lawsuit is pending, according to published reports.

CINCINNATI — Prasco Labs will market an authorized generic version of a drug used to treat diarrhea caused by a bacterial infection, the company said Wednesday.

Prasco announced that it had signed a deal with ViroPharma to market an authorized generic version of Vancocin (vancomycin hydrochloride) capsules in the 125-mg and 250-mg strengths. The drug is used to treat diarrhea related to Clostridium difficile infection.

NEW YORK — Move over, Lipitor: There's a new top drug on the market, according to published reports.