Impax shipping generic of ADHD drug Adderall XR

Impax says it shipped generic version of billion-dollar attention deficit hyperactivity drug

• On 4:36 pm EDT, Thursday October 1, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) -- Impax Laboratories Inc. said Thursday it started shipping a generic version of the attention deficit hyperactivity drug Adderall XR, which is made by Shire PLC.

The Hayward, Calif., company started shipping Adderall XR capsules in doses of 5 milligrams, 10 milligrams, 15 milligrams, 20 milligrams, 25 milligrams, and 30 milligrams. U.S. sales of those capsules totaled $1.5 billion in the 12 months ended July 31, Impax said.

Under a settlement reached by Impax and Shire in 2006, Impax has the right to make an authorized generic version of the drug. It had the right to start selling its generic by Jan. 1, 2010, and will pay royalties to Shire.

Impax shares fell 15 cents to close earlier at $8.59. Shares of Shire, which is based in Basingstoke, U.K., closed down $1.46, or 2.8 percent, at $50.83.