Pfizer and Mylan announce generics collaboration in Japan

A new partnership between Pfizer and Mylan should help to drive generic utilisation in Japan.

Pfizer Inc and Mylan Inc have teamed up to develop and distribute generic medicines in Japan, the second largest pharmaceutical market in the world.

The nation is currently the sixth largest generic retail prescription market and offers attractive growth prospects due to its ageing population, impending drug patent expiries and a government that is keen to boost generic use from 24 per cent to 30 per cent by the end of the year.

With their new long-term strategic collaboration, Pfizer and Mylan's individual strengths will complement each other in the development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of generics in Japan.

Mylan will primarily be responsible for managing research and development and manufacturing, while Pfizer will commercialise the combined generics portfolio comprising more than 350 marketed products across a range of therapeutic fields.

Products will be sold under the P