Spotlight On... Indian pharma to face U.S. headwinds, but growth to remain 'stable'; Baxter reportedly eyeing Indian sterile manufacturer; Supply chain fraud an issue; and more...

Indian pharma companies will face growing challenges in the U.S. as fewer big drugs will be losing their patents in the coming years with increased competition and a rise in regulatory scrutiny all set to create headwinds for generics firms, according to the Indian investor firm ICRA. Drugmakers in India have booked strong growth over the past 10 years--driven mainly by the U.S. market--on account of large brands going off patent and sizable organic and inorganic expansion. But the investor firm, a part of the Moody's group, warned things might get tough as we head toward the end of the decade. But the firm said there will be other sales opportunities in lieu of increased R&D expenditure and product pipeline comprising specialty drugs, niche molecules and complex therapies--meaning the growth outlook for Indian pharmaceutical companies will remain stable, if not spectacular. Release

> Sterile drug manufacturer Gland has reportedly drawn buyout interest from Baxter International ($BAX) as well as India's Torrent Pharma. Report

> Healthcare advocacy group Public Citizen has sent a letter calling for the Texas Pharmacy Board to close I.V. Specialty, an Austin compounder that has repeatedly ignored FDA warnings about unsanitary conditions. Letter

> A survey by consulting firm Deloitte found that about 30% of respondents said their companies experienced supply chain fraud, waste or abuse in the preceding year. Release