Generics

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Actavis has launched its version of an epilepsy drug made by UCB.

The generic drug maker said it received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for levetiracetam extended-release tablets and commenced shipping the product following approval. The drug is the generic equivalent of Keppra XR.

U.S. sales of Keppra XR were about $161 million for the 12 months ended June 30, according IMS Health data.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Qualitest Pharmaceuticals, an Endo Pharmaceuticals subsidiary, issued a voluntary, nationwide recall of multiple lots of oral contraceptives at the retail level.

Qualitest said it recalled lots of the following birth control pills due to a packaging error, whereby select blisters were rotated 180 degrees within the card, reversing the weekly tablet orientation and making the lot number and expiry date no longer visible. This error, the drug maker said, could leave women without adequate contraception and at risk for unintended pregnancy:

NEW YORK — Fera Pharmaceuticals has appointed a new director of national accounts.

The drug maker said that Kevin Wingerter, who most recently served as senior buyer of pharmaceutical merchandising at Walmart, has joined the company. Wingerter brings more than 20 years of experience in procurement of both branded and generic pharmaceuticals, Fera said.

CINCINNATI — The vast majority of pharmaceutical overdoses in children that resulted in a trip to the emergency room resulted from self-ingestion, according to a study released Friday.

BALTIMORE — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for epilepsy made by Lupin Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said.

Lupin announced the approval and launch of levetiracetam extended-release tablets in the 500-mg and 750-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of UCB's Keppra XR, which had sales of about $161 million during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Impax Labs has hit a roadblock in its attempt to market a generic version of a symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia drug.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Watson Labs has begun shipping a drug designed to treat partial onset seizures in patients with epilepsy.

The drug maker said it launched levetiracetam extended-release tablets in the 500-mg and 750-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of UCB's Keppra XR. The drug is indicated to treat patients ages 16 years and older.

Watson said it began shipping the drug on Tuesday following approval of its abbreviated new drug application from the Food and Drug Administration.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — First-quarter net sales for Hi-Tech Pharmacal's generic pharmaceuticals business increased by 52% to nearly $49 million, the drug maker reported.

Hi-Tech Pharmacal attributed the spike to stronger sales of fluticasone propionate nasal spray.

For the three months ended July 31, the company recorded net income from continuing operations of $13.8 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, a 58% rise compared with net income from the year-ago period.

Overall, net sales for Hi-Tech Pharmacal jumped 43% during its first quarter to $56.2 million.