Generics

HAWTHORNE, N.Y. — Taro Pharmaceutical Industries recently appointed a new member to its board, following the resignation of Hasmukh Shah.

Shah, who cited personal reasons for leaving the drug maker's board, was replaced by Dov Pekelman, who currently serves as chairman of both Atera Networks and Gilon Investments. Pekelman also served as senior consultant for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from 1985 to 2008.

Pekelman will serve until Taro's next annual general meeting of shareholders.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Growing numbers of Americans with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are driving innovation among drug makers, according to a new report by Frost & Sullivan.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association is recommending several ways for reducing Medicare Part D fraud, waste and abuse to the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs subcommittee, the group said Tuesday.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Amneal last month launched its version of an epilepsy treatment.

The drug maker said that felbamate tablets are available in 400-mg and 600-mg strengths, following approval from the Food and Drug Administration last month. The drug is the first-to-market generic equivalent of Meda Pharmaceuticals' Felbatol, Amneal said.

The Amneal generic is available in 90-count bottles in 400-mg strength and 90- and 180-count sizes in 600-mg strength, the company said.

Annual U.S. sales of Felbatol totaled $43.7 million, according to IMS Health data.

MUMBAI, India — Sun Pharmaceutical Industries last month said that it has resolved issues cited in a warning letter sent to the company by the Food and Drug Administration pertaining to one of Sun Pharma's U.S.-based manufacturing facilities.

NEW YORK — A wave of patent expirations over the next several years will open up a broad swath of drugs to generic competition, and India's Lupin Pharmaceuticals is looking to benefit, according to published reports.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Mumbai-based company planned to launch 25 to 30 new generic drugs each year over the next couple of years.

NEW YORK — Mylan may have to pay $77 million to four health insurers over allegations that it sought to control the market on ingredients used for two anti-anxiety medicines, according to published reports.

Bloomberg reported that the Supreme Court rejected the drug maker's appeal of a 2005 jury verdict in a case that involved antitrust allegations regarding the drugs lorazepam and clorazepate.

LONGUEUIL, Québec — Jean Coutu Group on Tuesday reported revenue of 635.2 million Canadian dollars (US $598.5 million) during the second quarter ended Aug. 27, an increase of 1.5%. Net profit per share came in at C$0.29, including a C$0.10 gain on sale of Rite Aid's shares, compared with C$0.18 during the second quarter of fiscal year 2011.