Doxycycline, overshadowed by cipro, comes out of the cabinet

Drug Store News, Nov 19, 2001 by Diane West

MIAMI -- Doxycycline, the old reliable tetracycline antibiotic used to treat traveler's diarrhea that was recently cleared for use as an anthrax treatment, is getting dusted off to turn a surprise profit for some generics makers.

Ivax was awarded a contract to supply more than 1.2 billion, 100 mg doxycycline tablets to the United States' antibiotic stockpile. The price could not be confirmed from the company as of Nov. 1, but industry analysts expect Ivax to sell them to the government for 3 cents each, compared with the retail pharmacy price of 45 cents to 50 cents apiece.

Eon Labs is providing the New York State Department of Health authorities with 150,000 free 100 mg doxycycline capsules, up from an initial offer of 100,000 made in mid-October, and the company is in "continuing conversations" with the state. "At this point, we haven't really talked price," said Eon Labs marketing manager Christopher Lo Sardo. "We may be in a situation where we can continue to offer more free shipments if needed." Eon currently offers doxycycine in 50 mg and 100 mg strengths. The average retail price of the 50 mg strength is $130.61 per 100-count pack, and the 100 count, 100 mg average wholesale price is $213.23.

In addition to Eon and Ivax, generic doxycycline is sold by Danbury, Halsey, Mylan, Par, Mutual, Ranbaxy, Vintage, West Ward and Zenith Goldline. But renewed attention to generic doxycycline has translated into renewed attention to the branded version, too. Pfizer, for example, continues to sell a brnaded version of doxycycline, Vibramycin, which it recently called a "priority focus, increasing production "in anticipation of possible future demand." Pfizer is a small supplier of the tablet/capsule form of Vibramycin and is the sole supplier of Vibramycin syrup and powder.

In addition, according to a recent company statement, "Pfizer is discussion with public health authorities regarding the possible utility of the company's other human antibiotics, including Zithromax (azithromycin), Trovan (trovafloxacin) and company-produced penicillins."