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Friday, June 30, 2006
WASHINGTON — The first generic version of Zoloft, the top-selling antidepressant in the United States, received federal approval Friday.
Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. said it will make generic versions of the drug, also known as sertraline, in 25-, 50- and 100-milligram tablets.
Pfizer Inc.'s patent on Zoloft expires Saturday. The New York-based company is authorizing its own generic version of the drug to undercut Teva's sales.
Zoloft was a $3.1 billion seller for Pfizer last year, when it was the No. 7 prescription drug, according to IMS Health Inc. The FDA first approved the drug in 1991.
Teva, the world's largest generic pharmaceutical company, plans to begin selling generic Zoloft in late July.
In May, the FDA cleared Teva to make the first generic version of Lexapro, the No. 2 antidepressant in the U.S. Brand-name Lexapro is made by New York-based Forest Laboratories Inc.
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On the Net:
Food and Drug Administration sertraline information:http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/sertraline/default.htm
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