Generics

NEW ORLEANS — A company that makes pet drugs has launched what it calls the first generic prescription heartworm preventive medication for sale at retail pharmacies around the country.

FidoPharm announced the launch of Pet Trust Plus (ivermectin and pyrantel), a generic version of Merial's Heartgard Plus. The drug is meant to prevent heartworms from developing and reaching a dog's arteries and heart.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is looking at the possibility of selling certain prescription drugs over the counter under specific circumstances, the agency said.

The market for drugs to treat diabetes — especially Type 2 diabetes — has shown quite a bit of activity lately. At the end of January, the Food and Drug Administration approved Bydureon (exenatide), a once-weekly version of the drug Byetta, which was originally developed by Alkermes and subsequently developed further under an alliance between Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly that the two companies formed in 2002. In November 2011, however, Amylin and Lilly terminated their alliance in the wake of an announced diabetes drug partnership between Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim.

WASHINGTON — Prices for generic drugs may be dropping, but increases in branded and specialty drug prices have offset those decreases, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by AARP's Public Policy Institute, found that the cumulative change in drug prices from 2005 to 2009 was almost double the rate of inflation. As a result, the average annual cost of drug therapy continued to rise.

HYDERABAD, India — Indian drug maker Dr. Reddy's has launched a drug designed to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, the company said.

The company announced the launch of ziprasidone hydrochloride capsules in the 20-mg, 40-mg, 60-mg and 80-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Pfizer's Geodon, which had sales of $1.34 billion in 2011, according to IMS Health.

NEW YORK — Cardinal Health can continue distributing controlled medications from a distribution center in Florida, according to published reports.

On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit put a stay on the Drug Enforcement Administration's order that had blocked Cardinal from shipping controlled substances from the Lakeland, Fla., center. The stay will last until the middle of the month, when Cardinal has to file its emergency motion, and the DEA has to file its response, according to the reports.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — In the wake of tornadoes that hit communities in Kentucky on Friday, retail pharmacy chain Rite Aid has donated to a local Red Cross chapter to assist victims.

The company said Sunday that the Rite Aid Foundation, its philanthropic arm, had donated $15,000 to the Bluegrass chapter of the American Red Cross. The foundation also will provide supplies and items to assist with disaster relief efforts. Eli Lilly Foundation also pledged to donate $100,000 to the Red Cross.

JERUSALEM — A generic drug maker has launched its version of an Abbott Labs drug.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries said it launched progesterone capsules in the 100-mg and 200-mg strengths, a generic version of Prometrium.

Prometrium is indicated for use in the prevention of endometrial hyperplasia in nonhysterectomized postmenopausal women who are receiving conjugated estrogen tablets. The drug also is indicated for use in secondary amenorrhea.

For the 12 months ended Jan. 31, Prometrium had sales of approximately $198 million, according to IMS Health data.