Generics

NEW YORK — While Indian generic drug maker Ranbaxy Labs is expected by many to launch a generic version of a cholesterol drug made by Pfizer later this year, it may have to sell its rights to it if it can't win Food and Drug Administration approval in time, according to published reports.

Citing Credit Suisse analysts, Bloomberg reported that the FDA may delay approval of Ranbaxy's version of Lipitor (atorvastatin), which would prevent it from marketing the drug starting Nov. 30, as it has planned to do.

NEW YORK — Generic drug maker Sandoz is suing Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk over a generic version of a drug used to treat diabetes, according to published reports.

Bloomberg reported that Sandoz, the generics arm of Swiss drug maker Novartis, was suing Novo Nordisk in a Detroit federal court, hoping the court would find that the Sandoz generic version of Novo Nordisk's Prandin (repaglinide) did not infringe on the latter company's patent covering the drug.

SAN DIEGO — Asteres, a provider of 24/7 automated pharmacy kiosks, earlier this week announced that Guthrie Health is the first hospital pharmacy to offer OTC products in addition to prescriptions at their ScriptCenter kiosk.

Hospitals are installing ScriptCenter to provide a quick and convenient prescription drop-off and pickup service to hospital employees, especially those who work when the pharmacy is closed, the company stated.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Generic drug maker Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched a new drug for neuromuscular disorders, the company said.

Sagent announced the launch of vecuronium bromide, an injectable drug used to treat myasthenia gravis and Eaton-Lambert syndrome. The disorders cause muscle weakness and fatigue.

The market for vecuronium bromide is about $10 million in the United States, according to IMS Health.

DANBURY, Conn. — With the global biosimilars market expected to expand nearly sixfold by the middle of the decade, market research firm IMS Health is launching a market-measurement tool for drug makers interested in getting into the space, the company said.

MUMBAI, India — Generic drug maker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has received regulatory approval for a drug designed to treat an enlarged prostate.

According to the Food and Drug Administration's website, Sun Pharma's finasteride tablets in the 5-mg strength were approved on Aug. 16.

Finasteride is the generic equivalent of Proscar and Propecia, which are made by Merck.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan announced Wednesday that it filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of a generic version of a drug for migraine headaches made by Endo Pharmaceuticals.

Mylan said it was the first to file for approval of a generic version of Frova (frovatriptan succinate EQ) tablets in the 2.5-mg strength. In response, Endo has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Mylan in response to the filing.

Frova had sales of $68.2 million during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Hospira has appointed Abbott executive William Dempsey to its board.

Dempsey, who spent more than two decades at Abbott, most recently as EVP global pharmaceuticals for the drug maker.

The addition of Dempsey expands Hospira's board to 11 directors, nine of whom are independent.