Pharmaceutical major Lupin has acquired a minority stake in Melbourne-headquartered Generic Health, for undisclosed amount.

Generic Health, markets a wide range of quality generic prescriptions and OTC products. The company has recently acquired Bellwether Pharma and has entered into a strategic alliance with Actavis.

Australia is one of the leading global markets with sales of over Australian $10 billion (including branded generics and OTC), and witnessing a rapid genericisation.

Aurobindo Pharma Limited, one of the country’s leading pharmaceutical companies has received the tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, to manufacture and market Losartan Potassium tablets in multiple strengths.

Losartan Potassium tablets are generic equivalent of Merck Research Laboratories’ Cozaar in dosage of 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. The drug is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure.

The sales of Losartan tablets were $1, 235 million for the year ended December 2007, according to an official statement.

Mumbai-based Unichem Laboratories has finally received nod from US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) for Hydrochlorothiazide tablets in the strengths of 25 mg and 50 mg.

Pharmaceutical major Aurobindo Pharma has informed that it has received tentative approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to market Efavirenz tablets, in the strength of 600 mg.

Pharmaceutical major Lupin Ltd has entered into a multi-year promotion and marketing management with Forest Lab Inc. for its Aerochamber line of products.    

Fortis Healthworld, a Religare Group company, will acquire pharmacy retail chain CRS Health, a Delhi-based pharmaceutical and wellness retail chain for Rs 15 crore. Under the deal, Fortis HealthWorld will acquire all 27 retail stores and four warehouses of CRS Health in India. CRS Health has significant presence in South and West India.