MORRISTOWN, N.J., June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Watson
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI), a leading specialty pharmaceutical company,
today announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., has received
approval today from the United States Food and Drug Administration on its
Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for levonorgestrel tablets, 0.75 mg,
for women seventeen years and younger. Levonorgestrel is the generic
equivalent to Duramed Pharmaceuticals' PLAN B(R), which is indicated for the
prevention of pregnancy following unprotected intercourse or contraceptive
failure. This product is approved for prescription use only. The Company
intends to market the product under the trade name Next Choice(TM) and plans
to launch the product shortly. For the 12-months ending March 2009, PLAN B(R)
had total U.S. sales of approximately $123 million, of which approximately ten
percent are attributable to prescription sales, according to IMS sales data.
PLAN B(R) over-the-counter (O.T.C.) new product exclusivity expires on August
24, 2009.
About Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a global leader in the development and
distribution of pharmaceuticals with a broad portfolio of generic products and
a specialized portfolio of brand pharmaceuticals focused on Urology, Women's
Health and Nephrology/Medical.
For press release and other company information, visit Watson
Pharmaceuticals' Web site at http://www.watson.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
Any statements contained in this press release that refer to future events
or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect
Watson's current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date
of this release. Except as expressly required by law, Watson disclaims any
intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Actual
results may differ materially from Watson's current expectations depending
upon a number of factors affecting Watson's business. These factors include,
among others, the impact of competitive products and pricing; market
acceptance of and continued demand for Watson's products; difficulties or
delays in manufacturing; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of
FDA or other regulatory agency approvals or actions, if any; and other risks
and uncertainties detailed in Watson's periodic public filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Watson's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
PLAN B(R) is a registered trademark of Women's Capital Corporation, a
subsidiary of Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
SOURCE Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT:
Patty Eisenhaur
of Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
+1-951-493-5611
Web Site: http://www.watson.com
