Teva Gets Tentative OK for Generic Blood-Pressure Medicine

By Linda Loyd, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Jun. 14–Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. said today that U.S. regulators have tentatively approved its generic version of Merck & Co. Inc.’s high-blood pressure medicine Hyzaar.

Israel-based Teva, with its North American headquarters in North Wales outside Philadelphia, said final approval from the Food and Drug Administration is expected when Merck’s patent expires in April 2010.

Hyzaar, also known by the chemical name losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide, is used to reduce stroke in patients with high blood pressure. The drug has annual sales of $542 million.

Teva is the world’s largest manufacturer of generic drugs, which are chemically equivalent versions of the brand-name medicine, but cost less than half the original branded drugs. Just after noon, shares of Teva were trading at $35.86, up 7 cents.

Contact staff writer Linda Loyd at 215-854-2831 or lloyd@phillynews.com.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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