Briefs: Hospira CEO touts biogeneric drugs

WASHINGTON -- Biologic medicines are at a critical crossroads as patents expire and generic firms prepare to step in, said Hospira Chief Executive Officer Christopher Begley at a pharmaceutical conference in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Begley called for legislation enabling the government to speed-up approvals. Biogenerics provide needed cancer and diabetes treatments but can be expensive, he said. Lake Forest-based Hospira has a number of biogenerics under development.

Discover consumer index holds steady

RIVERWOODS -- Consumers gave their personal finances remarkably consistent ratings, according to the August Discover Consumer Spending Confidence Monitor. Still, the number of people who said the U.S. economy was worsening increased from 58 percent to 62 percent, according to the Riverwoods-based firm.