Generics

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals will build a drug warehouse and distribution center in Mississippi, the drug maker said Thursday.

Watson said its Anda Distribution division would the $23.5 million, 234,000-sq.-ft. center in Olive Branch, Miss. The plant will employ 70 workers.

NEW YORK — Mandatory mail seems to cause some patients to prematurely discontinue therapy, especially among those patients without previous mail-service pharmacy experience. At least, that’s what a recent study on mandatory mail suggested.

The CVS Caremark-funded study, “Adherence to Medication Under Mandatory and Voluntary Mail Benefit Designs,” recently was published in the American Journal of Managed Care.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has begun shipping a drug for enlarged prostate, the company said Friday.

Mylan announced the launch of alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets in the 10-mg strength.

The drug is a generic version of Sanofi's Uroxatral, which had sales of about $241 million during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

PHILADELPHIA—Lannett has started shipping a painkiller product approved by the Food and Drug Administration in June, the company said.

Lannett announced the shipment of morphine sulfate oral solution. Lannett sought FDA approval using a 505(b)(2) new drug application. Sales of morphine sulfate oral solution at average wholesale price were $31.7 million during the 12-month period ending in June, according to Wolters Kluwer.

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — Drug maker Avanir Pharmaceuticals has filed suit against two generic drug makers seeking to launch versions of a drug used to treat pseudobulbar affect, which causes sudden, involuntary episodes of laughing and crying, and occurs secondary to numerous other neurological conditions.

Avanir filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Par and Actavis, which had filed for regulatory approval of Nuedexta (dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate).

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for epilepsy.

Innopharma announced the FDA approval of levetiracetam injection. The drug is a generic version of UCB's Keppra.

Innopharma has a licensing agreement with X-GEN Pharmaceuticals for marketing and distribution of the drug.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has granted tentative approval to a generic cholesterol drug made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, the company said Wednesday.

Watson announced the tentative approval of Watson's rosuvastatin zinc tablets in the 5-mg, 10-mg, 20-mg and 40-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of AstraZeneca's Crestor. Tentative approval means that the drug meets the FDA's conditions for approval, but the agency can't allow it to be marketed because patents covering the branded version have yet to expire.

NEW YORK — Hetero is at the center of two patent litigation suits for attempting to market generic versions of Viagra and Nexium, according to published reports.