Lupin resumes anti-diabetic drug sales in US after court nod

NEW DELHI, Apr 19: Drug firm Lupin today said it has resumed sales of generic version of Shionogi’s Fortamet tablets, used in the treating diabetes, in the American market after getting clearance from a US Court.
“US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has granted its (Lupin’s) request to stay the preliminary injunction that had earlier barred sales of its generic of Shionogi’s Fortamet tablets,” Lupin said in a statement.
In December last year, Shionogi’s request for a preliminary injunction had been granted and had blocked Lupin from further sales of the product.
Lupin had received final approval for its generic version from the US Food and Drug Administration and had launched the product in September, 2011.
Following the court order, the Mumbai-headquartered firm said it has now resumed sales of the product in the US market, it added.
Fortamet is indicated as a supplement to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Citing IMS Health data, the company said annual US sales for Fortamet stood at USD 70.2 million for the twelve months ending December 2011.
(PTI)