FDA Approves Solution Form of Oncology Medication

Hospira is the first company to offer gemcitabine in a solution formulation for the U.S. market. The solution formulation is designed to improve pharmacist convenience and handling safety.

Specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company Hospira, Inc. has received U.S. FDA approval of gemcitabine injection, a solution form of the drug.

The solution presentations include 200 mg, 1 gm and 2 gm with a concentration of 38 mg/ml. The oncology medication had U.S. sales of more than $750 million in 2010, led by Eli Lilly's Gemzar. Hospira expects to launch the product in early September.

Hospira is the first company to offer gemcitabine in a solution formulation for the U.S. market. The solution formulation is designed to improve pharmacist convenience and handling safety. Its concentration is the same as the reconstituted strength of the available "freeze-dried" form. The solution versions, however, eliminate the need for reconstitution, imp