Generics


Dispensing narcotics and other highly abused prescription drugs, pharmacies have always been potential targets for robbery and burglary. But a series of violent crimes over the past year and a half — including the killing of a pharmacist, a teenage clerk and two customers in Medford, N.Y., in June, as well as the murders of a pharmacist in Trenton, N.J., and a store clerk in Sacramento, Calif. — have thrown a spotlight on the dangers faced by pharmacy workers and customers, and have galvanized public opinion for tougher laws.


WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Par Pharmaceutical Cos. will acquire Anchen Pharmaceuticals for $410 million, Par said Wednesday.

Based in Irvine, Calif., Anchen is a privately owned generic drug maker that expects to launch eight to 10 new generic drugs over the next two years. Par plans to finance the acquisition with a $350 million term loan and cash it already has.

The final outcome of the battle between Israel’s Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Canada’s Valeant Pharmaceuticals International to buy Cephalon serves as a good illustration of why it helps to have a plan B.


In May, Teva beat out Valeant’s $5.7 billion offer to buy Frazier, Pa.-based Cephalon with a $6.8 billion offer of its own, acquiring Cephalon’s hefty pipeline in the process. And last month, Teva bought Taiyo Pharmaceutical Industry, Japan’s third-largest generics company, for $934 million.


PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a chemotherapy drug made by Sandoz, the drug maker said Tuesday.

Sandoz, the generics division of Swiss drug maker Novartis, announced the approval and launch of docetaxel, an injectable chemotherapy drug that the company said was the 11th cancer drug it has launched in the United States.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix announced that it now offers free 30-day supplies (up to 30 tablets) of lisinopril to customers with a prescription for the medication.

All strengths of generic lisinopril are free, Publix said, noting, however, that lisinopril-hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) combination products are excluded from the offer. Lisinopril is designed to prevent, treat or improve symptoms of such conditions as hypertension, certain heart conditions, diabetes and certain chronic kidney conditions.

HOUSTON — Sharps Compliance on Monday announced that Walgreens will be the exclusive retailer for the company's Complete Needle Collection & Disposal System.

"When it comes to patient care and safety, this innovative disposal alternative can help provide a convenient option for patients," stated Suzanne Hansen, Walgreens group VP pharmacy operations. "Customers often ask about what to do with these types of needles, and now our pharmacists have another option to discuss with patients."

CINCINNATI — Prasco will market an authorized generic drug for urinary tract infections under an agreement with Shionogi, the company said Monday.

Prasco announced that it signed a supply agreement with Shinogi to market and distribute nitrofurantoin oral suspension, an authorized generic version of Furadantin. Authorized generics are branded drugs marketed under their generic names at a discounted price, usually through a third-party company, such as Prasco.

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.