Generics

ST. LOUIS — The road to waste reduction is paved with good intentions.

That’s the conclusion of pharmacy benefit manager Express Script’s "2010 Drug Trend Report," which found that 33% of annual pharmacy-related waste can be eliminated by encouraging patients to improve common behaviors linked to their prescription drugs by harnessing their good intentions.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Another generic drug maker is seeking to market its version of a popular opioid painkiller.

Impax said it had filed applications with the Food and Drug Administration seeking approval for a generic version of Purdue Pharma’s Oxycontin (oxycodone) controlled-release tablets in the 10-, 15-, 20-, 30-, 40-, 60- and 80-mg strengths.

Purdue filed suit against Impax on April 8 in the U.S. District Courts for the Southern District of New York, seeking to prevent Impax from marketing its version before the expiration of Purdue's patents.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved an oral contraceptive made by Sandoz, the company said Friday.

Sandoz, the generics division of Swiss drug maker Novartis, announced the approval of Altavera (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) tablets, a generic version of Duramed’s Nordette.

Branded and generic versions of Nordette had sales of about $57.4 million during the 12-month period ended in February, according to IMS Health.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — The Food and Drug Administration has granted tentative approval to a generic antibiotic made by Hi-Tech Pharmacal, the drug maker said Friday.

Hi-Tech announced the tentative approval of levofloxacin oral solution in the 25 mg-per-mL strength. The drug is used to treat mild, moderate and severe bacterial infections in adults.

HAYWARD, Calif., and HIGH POINT, N.C. — Impax Labs will collaborate with a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and manufacturing of unique gelatin-based dosage forms.

Impax said it has entered a deal with Banner Pharmacaps in respect to the supply and commercialization of two softgel capsule products.

The products and terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson announced that its subsidiary is seeking approval to market a generic version of a bacterial conjunctivitis treatment.

Watson Labs filed an abbreviated new drug application with the Food and Drug Administration for moxifloxacin hydrochloride ophthalmic solution USP in the 0.5% strength. The antibiotic solution is a generic version of Alcon's Vigamox, which had total U.S. sales of about $281 million ended in February, according to IMS Health.

NORTHVALE, N.J. — Elite Pharmaceuticals has begun shipping an appetite suppressant for reducing weight in obese patients, the company said Thursday.

The drug maker announced the initial shipment of phentermine hydrochloride tablets in the 37.5-mg strength. The drug is a generic version of Teva’s Adipex-P.

Adipex-P and generic versions had sales of about $40 million in 2010, according to IMS Health.

The shipment was made under a collaborative agreement with precision dose and its subsidiary, TAGI Pharma.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Indian drug maker Lupin and U.S. drug maker Salix Pharmaceuticals announced Wednesday a licensing deal for technology related to a drug for traveler’s diarrhea.

Under the deal, Salix will receive exclusive worldwide rights for Xifaxan (rifaximin) drug technology developed by Lupin and jointly by both companies in all countries except India.

Salix is required to pay Lupin $10 million upfront, as well as potential payments related to regulatory milestones.