Japan’s third-largest pharmaceutical company has agreed to...

Japan’s third-largest pharmaceutical company has agreed to buy for an undisclosed amount Pharmavite Corp., a San Fernando Valley firm that is one of the nation’s largest independent vitamin makers. Otsuka Pharmaceutical, which has annual sales of $5 billion, is expected to complete the purchase of privately owned Pharmavite by next month. Based in Arleta, Pharmavite has annual sales of about $80 million and makes the Nature Made brand of vitamins and mineral supplements.