Generics

WASHINGTON — The National Consumers League and the U.S. surgeon general are launching a new campaign to educate patients about the risks of not properly taking their medications, the organization said.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s annual meeting of stockholders held Wednesday morning was an emotional and momentous occasion for the company as it marked the official retirement of Tom Ryan, former chairman and CEO, and the beginning of a new chapter as Larry Merlo takes the reigns as CEO.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration expects to approve an increasing number of drugs, according to published reports.

Reuters quoted FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research director Janet Woodcock as saying the number of drugs approved gradually could increase, already having reached a “nadir.” The report noted that 12 drugs had won approval this year so far, and Woodcock speculated that the agency would approve more than the 21 it approved last year.

MADISON, Miss. — Cypress Pharmaceuticals has launched a generic version of an eye care drug made by Boehringer Ingelheim and marketed by Allergan, the company said.

Cypress announced the launch of epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 0.05%, a generic version of Elestat; BI owns the trademark to Elestat and licenses rights to the drug to Allergan. Elestat is used to relieve itching of the eyes resulting from allergic conjunctivitis.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Napo Pharmaceuticals has filed a lawsuit against Salix Pharmaceuticals, alleging that the latter breached commitments under an agreement to develop and commercialize a proprietary gastrointestinal compound.

Salix said that Napo's claims over its collaboration agreement concerning the development of crofelemer are without merit, adding that the drug maker plans to continue with the development and commercialization of crofelemer, in accordance with its past guidance and the terms of its collaboration agreement with Napo.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Akorn, a niche generic pharmaceutical company, earlier this week entered into an agreement to acquire Advanced Vision Research, an over-the-counter ophthalmic company that promotes eye care products under the TheraTears and MacuTrition brands.

PEAPACK, N.J. — Greenstone has introduced an authorized generic treatment for breast cancer, the generics subsidiary of Pfizer said.

The company announced the launch of exemestane tablets, an authorized generic version of Pfizer’s Aromasin. Aromasin is used to treat early breast cancer in menopausal women who already have taken the drug tamoxifen for two to three years, as well as breast cancer in women whose disease has worsened while taking tamoxifen, which is widely available as a generic.

PITTSBURGH — A generic drug maker has launched its version of a pain medication made by Endo Pharmaceuticals.

Mylan and its subsidiary Mylan Pharmaceuticals launched oxycodone and aspirin tablets USP in the 4.8355-mg/325-mg strength, based on an agreement with licensing partner Coastal Pharmaceuticals. The drug, designed to treat moderate to severe pain, is a generic version of Percodan.

Oxycodone and aspirin tablets had U.S. sales of approximately $6.5 million for the 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2010, according to IMS Health.