Generics

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Generic drug maker Amneal has introduced four new drugs to the market, all available in tablet form.

The products, approved by the Food and Drug Administration, include:

• Lorazepam tablets, a generic version of anxiety treatment Ativan, are available in 0.5-mg, 1-mg and 2-mg strengths, each offered in 100-, 500- and 1,000-count containers;

• Meclizine HCl tablets, a generic version of antihistamine Antivert, are available in 12.5-mg and 25-mg strengths in 100-, 500- and 1,000-count bottles;

ST. LOUIS — The Food and Drug Administration has approved an opioid painkiller made by Covidien's generic drug division, the medical supply company said.

Covidien said the FDA approved Mallinckrodt's morphine sulfate oral solution, used to relieve moderate to severe acute and chronic pain in opioid-tolerant patients.

PHILADELPHIA — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic version of a short-term adjunct treatment for obesity.

Lannett said that the FDA approved its abbreviated new drug application for phentermine resin extended-release capsules in the 15-mg and 30-mg strengths. The drug, which is equivalent to UCB's Ionamin, will be sold in bariatric clinics.

JERUSALEM — Teva Pharmaceuticals has launched an authorized generic version of a contraceptive made by Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Teva said.

Teva announced the launch of Camrese, an authorized generic of Duramed’s Seasonique (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets).

The launch of Teva’s authorized generic follows the launch of Watson Pharmaceuticals’ generic version of the drug, which it is marketing under the name Amethia.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — A generic version of a popular pneumonia treatment has entered the market from Hi-Tech Pharmacal.

Hi-Tech Pharmacal has introduced levofloxacin oral solution in the 25-mg/mL strength. The drug will be available in 480-mL, 200-mL and 100-mL sizes in order to allow pharmacists to tailor inventory to store volume. As previously reported by Drug Store News, Hi-Tech Pharmacal was granted tentative approval for the drug in April.

BANGALORE, India — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for diabetes made by Indian generic drug maker Strides Arcolab.

The FDA approved acarbose tablets in the 25-mg, 50-mg and 100-mg strengths. The drug is a niche drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes, Strides said.

Acarbose tablets have sales of about $21 million, according to IMS Health.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has launched a generic version of a contraceptive made by Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Watson said Thursday.

Watson announced the launch of Amethia (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol [0.15 mg/0.03 mg] and ethinyl estradiol [0.01 mg]) after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit denied Duramed’s request for a temporary injunction; a patent infringement lawsuit that Duramed filed against Watson remains pending.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Generic drug maker Perrigo has closed its purchase of Paddock Labs, the company said Tuesday.

Perrigo acquired privately owned Paddock, a manufacturer of generic prescription and over-the-counter drugs based in Minneapolis, for $540 million.

“We are very pleased to welcome the Paddock team to the Perrigo family,” Perrigo chairman and CEO Joseph Papa said. “This acquisition is another important step forward in executing Perrigo’s strategy to expand our specialty portfolio of generic Rx products.”