IMPAX announces limited resumption of sales of oxycodone

STAMFORD, Conn. IMPAX Laboratories and its distributor DAVA Pharmaceuticals will resume sales of its oxycodone hydrochloride extended-release tablets in a limited capacity starting today.

This is in response to an agreement the companies signed with Purdue Pharma, who manufactures the brand version, Oxycontin, which is used for the management of moderate to severe pain when a continuous around-the-clock analgesic is needed for an extended period of time. The agreement said that IMPAX acknowledged that Purdue’s patents for Oxycontin were valid, enforceable and infringed on by their generic version. Purdue in return, allowed the companies to continue selling the product on the market until June 14, and to resume the distribution at a future date for a limited period of time.

The sales of the generic are expected to continue until around Jan. 28, 2008, or until the company’s sales quota under the license agreement with Purdue has been reached.