Generic Drug News and Research

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Generic Drugs are official nonbrand names by which medicines are known. Generic names usually refer to the chemical name of the drug.

Electronic prescribing can boost drug cost savings

Electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) systems that allow doctors to select lower cost or generic medications can save $845,000 per 100,000 patients per year and possibly more system-wide, according to findings from a new study funded by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

10 Dec 2008

Save money wih generics

Today, more than ever, consumers can opt for generic equivalents of brand-name medications at substantial cost savings.

10 Dec 2008

Researchers visualize three-dimensional structure of protein, Mcm10

For the first time, structural biologists have managed to obtain the detailed three-dimensional structure of one of the proteins that form the core of the complex molecular machine, called the replisome, that plant and animal cells assemble to copy their DNA as the first step in cell reproduction.

10 Dec 2008

Electronic prescribing system may encourage physicians to prescribe lower-cost medications

Clinicians using an electronic prescribing system appear more likely to prescribe lower-cost medications, reducing drug spending, according to a report in the December 8/22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

8 Dec 2008

ACE inhibitor calcium channel blocker combo drug shown to reduces heart attacks

While doctors are urged to start with a diuretic-based strategy to control patients' high blood pressure, an international blood pressure study shows a different single-pill drug combination is more effective at preventing heart-related events such as heart attacks and strokes.

3 Dec 2008

Good advice to cut prescription drug costs

Just like saving money on groceries or finding the best deal on gas, smart consumers can cut their prescription drug costs with just a little bit of work, say pharmacists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

3 Dec 2008

Mylan settles with Novartis on Femara

Mylan Inc. has announced that it and its subsidiary, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., have entered into a settlement agreement with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., Novartis Corp. and Novartis International AG related to Letrozole Tablets, the generic version of Novartis' Femara.

3 Dec 2008

Generics as good as brand-name drugs when treating heart diseases

Contrary to the perception of some patients and physicians, there is no evidence that brand-name drugs are clinically superior to their generic counterparts, according to an article in the December 3 issue of JAMA, which examined studies comparing the effectiveness of generic vs. brand-name drugs for treating cardiovascular diseases.

3 Dec 2008

WHO says governments must do more to improve access to essential medicines

An alarming lack of availability of essential medicines in the public sector drives patients to pay higher prices in the private sector or go without, according to a WHO study reported in the online edition of The Lancet. The results confirm that governments must do more to improve access to essential medicines as part of their efforts to make national health systems more efficient and equitable.

2 Dec 2008

Mylan confirms first-to-file patent challenge of AMRIX capsules

Mylan Inc. has confirmed that the company and its subsidiary, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., have been sued by Cephalon Inc., Eurand Inc. and Anesta AG in connection with the filing of an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride (HCl) Extended-release (ER) Capsules, 15 mg and 30 mg, the generic version of AMRIX Capsules.

1 Dec 2008

Watson Pharmaceuticals receives FDA approval for generic Wellbutrin XL

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., has received final approval today from the United States Food and Drug Administration on its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets (XL) in the 150 mg strength.

26 Nov 2008

Generic drug competition benefits Ontarians

Following yesterday's release of the Competition Bureau's report, "Benefiting from Generic Drug Competition in Canada: The Way Forward," the Ontario Pharmacists' Association (OPA) is emphasizing that competition in the generic drugs industry is already benefiting Ontarians through accessible, high quality, cost-effective professional pharmacy care.

26 Nov 2008

Barr Labs confirms patent challenge of Amrix extended-release capsules

Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has confirmed that its subsidiary, Barr Laboratories, Inc., has initiated a challenge of the patent listed by Anesta in connection with its Amrix (cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride) extended-release capsules, 15mg and 30mg.

26 Nov 2008

Teva announces agreement on generic Pulmicort Respules patent challenge

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has announced that its subsidiary, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., has signed an agreement with AstraZeneca to settle patent litigation involving Teva's U.S. generic version of AstraZeneca's Pulmicort (Budesonide) Respules including all claims for patent infringement and damages.

25 Nov 2008

AstraZeneca settles U.S. Pulmicort Respules patent infringement litigation against Ivax Pharmaceuticals

AstraZeneca has announced it has entered into a settlement agreement in its Pulmicort Respules patent infringement litigation against Ivax Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceuticals USA.

25 Nov 2008

Researchers develop new strategy for broad spectrum anti-viral drugs

Bavituximab, an anti-viral drug developed by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers, shows promise as a new strategy to fight viral diseases, including potential bioterrorism agents.

24 Nov 2008

Barr announces agreements on Nasacort AQ, Allegra D-12 and Allegra patent challenges

Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that its subsidiary, Barr Laboratories, Inc. has entered into separate settlement agreements related to ongoing patent challenges for Nasacort AQ (triamcinolone acetonide) nasal spray, Allegra D-12 Hour (fexofenadine hydrochloride 60mg and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 120mg) extended-release tablets, and Allegra (fexofenadine) 30mg, 60mg and 180mg tablets.

19 Nov 2008