Roche Manager Defends Hard Line Against Generics
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
The managing director of Roche Scientific India defended the firm's hard-line stance in a patent suit against Cipla over the drug Tarceva (erlotinib hydrochloride). Girish Trelang acknowledged Roche was not keeping a low profile in the branded versus generic struggle. The suit is seen as a test of future court decisions on drug patent law, but Telang said Roche must defend its patents because although it pays customs duty of 32 percent in addition to developing the drug, it still charges only 15 percent more than the generic. (Click here for more