Hospira Launches Generic Irinotecan...( - Offers Unique Formulation o...),Health

- Offers Unique Formulation of Important Cancer Medication -

LAKE FOREST, Ill., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hospira, Inc. (NYSE: HSP), the world leader in generic injectable pharmaceuticals, today announced the launch of irinotecan hydrochloride injection in the United States. The medication is a generic version of Pfizer's Camptosar(R), which posted 2007 U.S. sales of more than $545 million. Irinotecan hydrochloride injection is used for patients with colon or rectal cancer whose disease has recurred or progressed following therapy with other treatments.

"We are continuing to grow our leading portfolio of generic medications used to treat patients with cancer," said Robert Felicelli, vice president and general manager, Specialty Pharmaceuticals, Hospira. "By providing irinotecan and other high-quality, lower-cost alternatives to proprietary medications, Hospira is meeting patient needs in this fast-growing therapeutic area."

Hospira's irinotecan product portfolio extends beyond the formulations available from the innovator. In addition to offering the medication in 40 mg and 100 mg single-dose vials, Hospira is also marketing a 500 mg single-dose vial, for additional convenience when preparing and delivering larger doses. The company packages irinotecan in its proprietary Onco-Tain(TM) vials for safe handling.

Hospira offers the broadest generic injectable product portfolio in the world, with more than 190 generic injectable products in more than 900 dosages and formulations. Product areas include cardiovascular, anesthesia, anti-infectives, oncology, analgesics, emergency and other therapeutic segments. A host of proprietary non-biologic drugs are facing patent expiration globally over the coming yea
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