Generics

HYDERABAD, India Indian generic drug maker Dr. Reddy’s Labs has launched a version of an asthma drug for the U.S. market, the company said.

Dr. Reddy’s announced the launch of zafirlukast tablets in the 10-mg and 20-mg strengths. The drug is a version of AstraZeneca’s Accolate, which had sales of $50 million during the 12-month period ended in August, according to IMS Health.

SILVER SPRING, Md. A drug maker will pull a common prescription painkiller from the market following the release of clinical data that it could cause heart problems.

 

NEW YORK — Johnson & Johnson and the U.S. government are suing two generic drug makers to stop them from launching a generic drug for HIV, according to published reports.

 

Bloomberg reported Thursday that Tibotec, a subsidiary of J&J, and the government were separately suing Mylan and Lupin over a generic version of the drug Prezista (darunavir ethanolate), alleging patent infringement.

 

 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has proposed a rule shortening the traditional 30-day drug cycle for long-term care centers to seven days when brand-name drugs are dispensed, prompting a supportive response from an organization representing independent pharmacies.

 

LAKE FOREST, Ill. Generic injectable drug maker Hospira has launched a version of a chemotherapy drug, the company said Monday.

 

Hospira announced the launch of gemcitabine hydrochloride in 2-g vials, a generic version of Eli Lilly’s Gemzar.

 

 

Gemzar had sales of nearly $750 million in 2009, according to Hospira.

 

LAVAL, Quebec — Generic drug maker Actavis has filed for approval of a generic version of an antidepressant made by Canada’s Labopharm, Labopharm said.

 

The drug maker said it received a notification stating that Actavis had applied to the Food and Drug Administration for approval of a generic version of Oletpro (trazodone hydrochloride) extended-release tablets in the 150-mg and 300-mg strengths.

 

 

HAYWARD, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic treatment made by Impax for seasonal allergies, Impax said Tuesday.

 

The drug maker announced the approval of its generic version of Sanofi-Aventis’ Allegra-D (fexofenadine hydrochloride and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride) tablets in the 60-mg/120-mg strength.

 

 

INDIANAPOLIS — The U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware has upheld a patent held by Indianapolis-based drug maker Eli Lilly covering a chemotherapy drug, Lilly said Monday.

 

The case concerns a patent covering Alimta (pemetrexed) that expires in July 2016 and generic drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries’ challenge to it.