Generic pains for AstraZeneca exacerbated by Indian drugmakers

Indian generic companies are taking aim at mega blockbusters, and AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN), the $25.7 billion pharmaceutical giant, is girding itself for heated competition on two of its best-selling drugs, Nexium (esomeprazole) and Pulmicort (budesonide), before the patents on these drugs expire.

Already reeling under the loss of its respiratory heavyweight Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol), whose key patents expired recently, the company might find it difficult to weather the generic storm ahead, reports The Pharma Letter’s India correspondent.

The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker has acknowledged that generic drugs are already eating into its revenue. In 2013, Nexium generated $2.12 billion sales, down from the $2.27 billion of 2012. In the case of Pulmicort, revenue was stagnant at $867 million in 2013.