Actavis’ Namenda IR must remain on market, appeals court rules
NEW YORK - The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on Friday upheld a lower court‘s decision ordering Actavis to keep its Alzheimer's treatment Namenda IR on the market until generic competition is available.
Actavis has a newer once-daily formulation, Namenda XR, and had planned on switching patients to the new drug before the Namenda IR patent expires in October, according to reports. Generic equivalents could be on the market as soon as July, The Wall Street Journal reported.
“While we are disappointed by the Court's decision to uphold this ruling, we intend to continue our strong efforts to convey the significant benefits of Namenda XR to physicians, patients and caregivers,” said Brent Saunders, CEO and president of Actavis. “Patient demand for Namenda XR is currently trending at more than 50% of the total product line's days of therapy and growing, underscoring the strong physician, patient and caregiver demand for our once-daily product.”
The Department of Health and Human Services reported in early May that pulling Namenda IR from the market completely could cost Medicare and its beneficiaries $6 billion over the next decade.