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UK's Competition Watchdog Targets Four Firms Over Seven-Fold Prochlorperazine Price Hike

 
• By Ian Schofield

The UK CMA alleges that four companies were involved in a non-compete agreement that resulted in a 700% increase in the cost to the NHS of a generic medicine for nausea and dizziness.

Money & pills
More generic price hikes are under the UK competition spotlight • Source: Shutterstock

In yet another excessive price case involving alleged agreements between pharmaceutical companies to bolster up the prices of generic medicines, the UK competition watchdog has provisionally found that four companies breached competition law by agreeing not to compete for the supply of the anti-nausea drug prochlorperazine to the National Health Service.

In a 23 May Statement of Objections, the Competition and Markets Authority says that over the four years from December 2013 to December 2017, the prices paid by the NHS for prochlorperazine 3mg buccal tablets rose

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After Jazz, Hikma Agrees $50m Settlement For ‘Most’ Xyrem ‘Pay-For-Delay’ Claims

 
• By Dean Rudge

Hikma said it would admit no wrongdoing or liability after reaching a preliminary settlement agreement over illicit ‘pay-for-delay’ claims involving its US version of Xyrem “that protects the company’s interests and provides clarity to our stakeholders.”

Viatris Pens Aprepitant Settlement Agreement After Kabi Loses Initial Patent Case

 
• By Dean Rudge

Viatris will look to introduce generic versions of Heron Therapeutics’ aprepitant brands, Cinvanti and Aponvie, around three years before patent expiry after settling litigation with the originator. Other court cases remain ongoing.

J&J Denied Injunction Over Private-Label Ustekinumab In US

 
• By Dave Wallace

Stelara originator J&J has been denied in its initial attempt to prevent Samsung Bioepis and ustekinumab biosimilar partner Sandoz from selling a private-label version of the product through a PBM in the US.

UK Forxiga SPCs Wiped Out As Trio Succeed With Plausibility Attack

 
• By Dean Rudge

Generic competition to AstraZeneca’s blockbuster SGLT2 inhibitor Forxiga (dapagliflozin) treatment for diabetes may hit England and Wales earlier than 2028 after a pair of SPCs were invalidated following proceedings initiated by a trio of generics manufacturers.

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‘I’ll Be Happy When We Have 40-Plus Assets’ – Sandoz Builds Up Biosimilars

 
• By Dave Wallace

With biosimilars playing an increasingly important role in Sandoz’s business, the firm’s first-quarter results call saw management lay out the latest key developments. Meanwhile, the company also addressed the issue of US tariffs, voicing optimism over both future developments as well as its ability to weather current measures.

Teva To Slash Thousands Of Jobs And Shut More Sites Under $700m Savings Plan

 
• By Dean Rudge

Teva’s plans to generate net savings of $700m by 2027 have been described by the firm as a journey and not a destination, with the suggestion that “this era of cost efficiency, harmonization, frugality will continue.”

Tetris Deal Falls Into Place For UK’s Aspire

 
• By Dave Wallace

Niche generics company Aspire Pharma has struck a deal to acquire a portfolio of products from fellow UK firm Tetris Pharma as it is wound up, paying Tetris parent Arecor £0.5m for UK distribution rights and inventory.