BioCentury
ARTICLE | Company News

FDA importing foreign cancer drug to address Doxil shortage

February 22, 2012 1:38 AM UTC

FDA said it will allow the temporary importation and distribution of cancer drug Lipodox doxorubicin from Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (BSE:524715; NSE:SUNPHARMA) to address the shortage in the U.S. of Doxil doxorubicin from Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ). Doxil has been in short supply due to issues at J&J's contract manufacturer, Ben Venue Laboratories Inc. FDA expects the importation of Lipodox to fully meet patient needs and end the shortage in the "coming weeks."

The agency also approved a preservative-free formulation of methotrexate from APP Pharmaceuticals Inc. in part to address a shortage of the drug in the U.S. The shortage was also caused by issues at Ben Venue. APP is part of Fresenius SE (Xetra:FRE). ...