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.

Big drug companies could lose out to generic competition

The battle between the big drug makers and their generic competition is intensifying, much to the benefit of consumers.

27 Oct 2005

Despite warning dangerous ADHD drug still being sold

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, liver problems linked to the attention deficit drug Cylert and other generic versions of the drug make it too dangerous for the U.S. market.

25 Oct 2005

Taiwan to produce its' own version of Tamiflu

Taiwan has apparently responded to bird flu fears by starting work on its own version of the anti-viral drug, Tamiflu, without waiting for the manufacturer's consent.

23 Oct 2005

Survival rate of HIV-infected patients in India has risen in response to a 20-fold drop in the price of antiretroviral therapy

Many of the more than 5 million HIV-infected people living in India have been unable to obtain treatment due to the high cost. With the introduction of generic ART into India in 2000, the price of HIV drugs fell from $778 per month to $100 per month, and eventually declined even further to just $33 per month in 2003.

19 Oct 2005

As Europe panics, global co-operation urged in the fight against birdflu

As the panic about bird flu spreads across Europe, EU foreign ministers are urging global cooperation in efforts to tackle the threat of the deadly virus.

19 Oct 2005

Mylan wins patent litigation

Mylan Laboratories today announced that the federal district court in the Northern District of West Virginia ruled in favor of Mylan in its Oxybutynin patent litigation with Alza Corporation, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.

28 Sep 2005

Newly patented versions of old drugs are driving the rapid growth in expenditure on prescription drugs in most developed countries

The rising cost of using these "me-too" drugs at prices far exceeding those of time-tested competitors deserves careful scrutiny, say the authors, based at the University of British Columbia in Canada, where spending on drugs doubled between 1996 and 2003.

4 Sep 2005

BMA(NI) initial response to Appleby Report

"The BMA met with Professor Appleby as part of this independent review and early indications are that much of his report appears to be consistent with the evidence provided by the Association."

31 Aug 2005

Drug Cytotec as good as surgery at expelling tissue following failed pregnancy

According to test results just released, the drug Cytotec is almost as effective as surgery for removing tissue that can remain in the uterus after a failed pregnancy.

25 Aug 2005

Poorer countries to benefit from reinstatement of 7 generic AIDS drugs to WHO's list

India's Ranbaxy Laboratories, seven anti- AIDS drugs, have been added to World Health Organisation's (WHO) prequalification list for use in poor countries.

21 Aug 2005

FDA places very tight restrictions on acne drug Accutane

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said late last week, that in future, patients and doctors will have to register with manufacturers and promise to comply with tight restrictions, before using the acne drug Accutane and it's generic versions.

14 Aug 2005

Monash University software helps tackle cancer and aircraft design

A powerful software tool designed by academics at Monash University is being used in the UK to help develop cancer treatments and improve aircraft engine design.

2 Aug 2005

TEVA to acquire IVAX for $7.4 billion

TEVA Pharmaceutical Industries and IVAX Corporation have jointly announced that they have signed a definitive agreement providing for the acquisition of IVAX by TEVA.

26 Jul 2005

ACE inhibitors should be available at no cost to the 8 million Americans over age 65 who have diabetes

Nothing in life is free, the old saying goes. But maybe some things should be, according to a new University of Michigan Health System study.

18 Jul 2005

FDA examines deaths of patients using pain patches

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating reports of the deaths of patients who were using pain patches that contain the narcotic fentanyl.

18 Jul 2005

Ranbaxy receives tentative FDA approval to manufacture and market Zidovudine tablets

India's Ranbaxy Laboratories has announced that it has received tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to manufacture and market Zidovudine Tablets USP, 300 mg.

15 Jul 2005

Map of gene control regions provides tool for understanding cells' different roles

In another step to decipher information in the human genome, scientists have discovered the location and sequence of over 10,000 DNA regions that function as genetic on-off switches, or "promoters" in human fibroblasts.

29 Jun 2005

Nitromed heart drug designed for blacks wins U.S. approval

A new heart drug designed specifically for blacks has been approved by U.S. officials.

26 Jun 2005

WHO says AIDS fight will only be won with generic drugs

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the key to AIDS treatment in the developing world is generic drugs, but the target of 3 million people on therapy by the end of 2005 may now be unattainable.

21 Jun 2005

Researchers use novel cocktail of cells to coax muscle tissue to develop its own vascular network

For years, a major obstacle has dashed the hopes of creating "replacement parts" for the human body: the lack of an internal, nourishing blood system in engineered tissues. Without it, thicker tissues can't thrive, which has confined tissue engineering's practical application to thin skin, which can recruit blood vessels from underlying tissue.

20 Jun 2005