Mylan wastes no time in launching generic Advair—at 70% discount

The heat is on for UK pharma major GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) after the US launch of the first generic to one of its top-selling products.

After a couple of years spent trying to overcome regulatory hurdles, Netherlands-incorporated drugmaker Mylan (Nasdaq: MYL) won US approval last week for a competitor to the blockbuster respiratory drug Advair Diskus (fluticasone/salmeterol).

Mylan’s copy, called Wixela Inhub, has now been launched following the approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through the Abbreviated New Drug Application pathway. It is indicated for certain patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.