Private label ranitidine

The H2 antagonist has begun reaching shelves at drug chains and wholesalers, mass merchandisers, food chains and warehouse clubs nationwide, Toronto, Canada-based Novopharm says. The product began shipping July 19. Novopharm says its subsidiary, Granutec, has shipped over 170 mil. tablets "to meet anticipated consumer demand for the lower cost generic." Warner-Lambert lost marketing exclusivity for the reference drug, Zantac 75, June 19. FDA granted Novopharm 180 days of marketing exclusivity for the private label version that is set to expire Jan. 19; the decision was challenged by Apotex but upheld by a D.C. federal court June 15 (1"The Tan Sheet" June 21, p. 3)