Generics

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has settled a lawsuit concerning Medicaid reimbursements with the federal government and the state of Texas, Mylan said Dec. 24.

Under the settlement, Mylan will pay $65 million.

Several state attorneys general filed lawsuits against Mylan and other drug companies in September 2003 over Medicaid reimbursements, alleging that the companies defrauded the programs by reporting average wholesale prices greater than the prices of their prescription drugs, thus causing the programs to make excessive payments to healthcare providers.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Generic drug maker Par Pharmaceutical has begun shipping its version of a treatment for heart rhythm problems, the company said Monday.

Par announced the shipment of propafenone SR capsules, a treatment for atrial fibrillation in patients without structural heart disease.

The drug is a generic version of GlaxoSmithKline’s Rhythmol SR, which has annual sales of around $121 million, according to IMS Health.

MUMBAI, India — The Food and Drug Administration approved three drugs made by Glenmark Generics last month and gave tentative approval to a fourth, the Indian generic drug maker said.

NEW YORK — This past year saw a lower-than-usual number of new drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration, due in part to delays at the agency, according to published reports.

The Wall Street Journal reported that 21 new drugs were approved through the year, compared with 25 in 2009 and 24 in 2008. The lag came in part due to stricter safety regulations, the newspaper reported.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Sandoz has launched higher dosages of its authorized generic version of a hypertension drug, the generics division of Swiss drug maker Novartis said Monday.

Sandoz announced the launch of amlodipine besylate and benazepril in the 5-mg/40-mg and 10-mg/40-mg strengths. The company already marketed the drug in the 2.5-mg/10-mg, 5-mg/10-mg, 5-mg/20-mg and 10-mg/20-mg strengths.

The drug is an authorized generic of Lotrel, marketed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. An authorized generic is a branded drug marketed under its generic name at a reduced price.

NEW YORK — One door closes; another door, well, closes. And that appears to be good news for Teva. Recent news that the Food and Drug Administration has rejected the drug maker's application for a new indication for multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone likely will mean the agency will not be so quick to approve a generic version of the drug without requiring a generic company to perform full clinical trials.

INDIANAPOLIS — Marsh Supermarkets recently implemented a $3.99/$9.99 generic drug pricing offer for 30-day and 90-day prescriptions, respectively.

The program applies to a designated list of generic drugs at commonly prescribed dosages (higher dosages cost more).

DEERFIELD, Ill., and OSAKA, Japan — Takeda and its subsidiary settled the patent suits it brought against generic drug makers that sought to develop their own versions of its diabetes treatment.