Ranbaxy puts generic Zyprexa on Spanish market on day one of patent expiry
This article was originally published in Scrip
Ranbaxy Laboratories has launched 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg and 10mg tablet generic versions of Lilly's atypical antipsychotic Zyprexa (olanzapine) in Spain, on the first day following the local patent expiry for the innovator product.
Ranbaxy, part of Daiichi Sankyo, said that the day one launch would deepen its offering in the CNS segment in Spain, where Zyprexa has a market size of $210 million, according to IMS data cited by the Indian firm. It has also launched 5mg and 10mg orodispersable formulations of the product.
The company, which will market to both physicians and pharmacies, said that its generic versions would facilitate 'significant' savings for patients and the Spanish Health System. Olanzapine is indicated in Spain for the treatment of adult schizophrenia, moderate to severe manic episodes and bipolar disorders.
In line with austerity measures aimed at reducing the country's fiscal deficit, government spending on pharmaceuticals continues to decline in Spain following price discounts introduced last year. The volume share of generic medicines, however, rose to around 19% in 2010 as against 15% in 2009 (scripintelligence.com, 14 January 2011).
Ranbaxy, which established its Spanish operations in 2004, offers a range of products in the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and CNS segments, among others, and expects to add significantly to this range during the year.