WEDNESDAY, Feb. 6 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic equivalents of Fosamax (alendronate sodium), Merck & Co.'s osteoporosis drug.
In a statement, the Israeli firm Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. said the FDA had approved its new drug application to market the medication in doses of 5 milligrams, 10 milligrams, 35 milligrams, 40 milligrams, and 70 milligrams. Shipment will begin immediately.
The brand-name drug had annual U.S. sales of about $1.9 billion for the period ended Sept. 30, Teva said.
New Jersey-based Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. also announced that it had received FDA approval to produce a 70-milligram dose of generic Fosamax.
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