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.

Thailand holds drug giants over a barrel

The government of Thailand, has already upset some of the big drug companies by overriding patent licenses for generic versions of heart and HIV/AIDS pills, and is now planning to go one step further unless drug giants cut their prices.

13 Feb 2007

GenoMed discovers African gene

GenoMed has announced that it has found the "African gene," responsible for the much higher incidence of diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney failure among people of African ancestry than whites.

12 Feb 2007

WHO cautions Thailand against issuing compulsory license for antiretroviral Kaletra

The World Health Organization on Thursday cautioned the Thai government on its decision to allow the country to produce a lower-cost version of Abbott Laboratories' antiretroviral drug Kaletra by granting a compulsory license for the drug, the Bangkok Post reports.

7 Feb 2007

Most of Medicare and Medicaid savings in Bush's budget proposal come from reducing growth in Medicare provider payments

The "lion's share" of the Medicare and Medicaid savings over five years proposed in President Bush's fiscal year 2008 budget proposal comes from limits on annual inflation adjustments for reimbursements to hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers for Medicare, amounting to $39.5 billion, CQ HealthBeat reports.

7 Feb 2007

GlaxoSmithKline issues update on US patent litigation regarding Valtrex

GlaxoSmithKline has issued an update on US patent litigation regarding Valtrex (valacyclovir), an antiviral drug used for the treatment and suppression of genital herpes, herpes zoster (shingles), and cold sores.

5 Feb 2007

Novartis' day in court could leave millions without AIDS drugs

The Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis is in court in India this week challenging the country's patent laws.

30 Jan 2007

Utah Senate approves bill to establish Medicaid preferred drugs

The Utah Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill (SB 42) that would establish a preferred drug list for the state Medicaid program, the Deseret Morning News reports.

30 Jan 2007

TV ads for drugs high on the emotions but low on facts

According to a new study television commercials for prescription drugs are heavily loaded on the emotional side but offer scant information on the disease itself and do little to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

30 Jan 2007

Thailand the latest drug patent buster

Thailand's military government has used World Trade Organization (WTO) rules regarding intellectual property, to allow the sale of generic versions of two important drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS and heart disease.

29 Jan 2007

AIDS Healthcare Foundation praises Thai action on AIDS drug licensing

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the US' largest HIV/AIDS healthcare and prevention and education provider, which operates free AIDS treatment clinics in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia, praised the Government of Thailand for its plan to break the patents on some lifesaving drugs, including one for an anti- retroviral drug used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

29 Jan 2007

Favorable decision for Ranbaxy on Atorvastatin patent in Canada

Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited announced that the Federal Court of Canada has handed down a favorable decision in the company's case against Pfizer by finding invalid Pfizer's Canadian atorvastatin patent CA 2,021,546.

28 Jan 2007

Massachusetts health insurance law could cost more than anticipated

Monthly premiums under the proposed minimum requirements for the new Massachusetts health insurance law would cost an estimated $380 on average for an individual, according to a state panel, the Boston Globe reports.

23 Jan 2007

Major variations in Medicare drug costs

Soon, Congress may vote on whether to require the Medicare system to negotiate lower prices for medicines taken by millions of seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

10 Jan 2007

India's decision to abide to pharma patents could limit access to medicines

India has become the "premier drug provider for the developing world" by producing generic versions of some of the world's most effective medicines, including antiretroviral drugs, but the country's decision to adhere to international patent regulations could limit access to generic drugs in the developing world, the Christian Science Monitor reports.

9 Jan 2007

Use of statins and beta-blockers as prescribed following heart attack associated with living longer

New research suggests that the pharmacological effects of taking medications such as statins and beta-blockers as prescribed following a heart attack is associated with living longer, according to a study in the January 10 issue of JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association.

9 Jan 2007