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Pfizer Inc. said it might
begin selling generic drugs in Japan as early as 2011, as part of its efforts
to diversify its operations, reported by Reuters. Like other drugmakers, Pfizer
is grappling with growing risks of a slump in earnings on patent expirations,
coupled with rising regulatory and scientific bars for bringing next-generation
drugs to the market. Amid these challenges, Pfizer has merged with Wyeth,
another major drugmaker, and also launched generic drug businesses in the
United States and Europe earlier this year, using its rights to generic drugs
made by firms such as India''s Aurobindo Pharma. Pfizer said in May its license
deals with Aurobindo and Claris Lifesciences would allow it to sell 60 generic
products in more than 70 countries throughout Asia, Latin America, Africa and
the Middle East and more than 100 products across North America, Europe,
Australia and New Zealand.
