Perrigo’s "national brand better" approach includes adding "better" value to generic equivalents that branded aren't offering, says President and CEO Murray Kessler. Prevacid 24 HR acquisition puts Perrigo at top of 15-mg lansoprazole PPI brand sales as well as in the generics market.

Already providing generic equivalents, Perrigo buys national brand from GSK as it acts on commitment to move into brand product sales. Plans to expand OTC Prevacid line, likely with an orally disintegrating tablet, and to grow entire US OTC gastrointestinal category.

Trademarks are registered and published for opposition with the US Patent and Trademark Office and are published weekly in the agency's Official Gazette.

Firm opts for recall "as a precautionary measure due to inconsistencies in preliminary test results of the active ingredient used in the US and Canadian products." Other firms marketing ranitidine in US have started recalls due to concerns about NDMA since potential problem became known in September.

Colgate changing to be more “agile” and predictive of local trends while also cutting product development time significantly, says CEO Noel Wallace. Approach has worked well in natural toothpaste business, where firm is gaining market share with toothpastes appealing to local preferences.

Recall announcement doesn't mention litigation J&JU faces in multiple states alleging use of Johnson's Baby Powder causes cancer due from talc in formulation. But firm's sensitivity to consumer complaints or adverse event reports linked to brand is clear with talc-related litigation as backdrop.

Industry and the FDA agree that the OTC drug monograph system is direly in need of reform, but innovating with noncompliant dosage forms and indications, without approved new drug applications, is a risk companies need to weigh seriously, says Arnall Golden Gregory partner Alan Minsk. The FDA offers perspective on its OTC monographs for acne and antiperspirant products.