Pharmacy News Article

NEW YORK Generic drugmakers Ranbaxy Laboratories, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and Mylan Inc. said Friday they are now selling lower-cost versions of the type 2 diabetes treatment Actos.

All three companies are selling the drug in three different doses. Actos increases the body's sensitivity to insulin, allowing type 2 diabetes patients to get better control of their blood sugar levels. U.S. sales of the pill totaled about $2.7 billion over the last year. Actos is marketed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals of Japan.

Another generic drug company, Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc., also wanted to start selling generic version of Actos on Friday. However the Food and Drug Administration has not approved Watson's generic. Watson sued the FDA on Wednesday to get marketing approval. It also wants marketing exclusivity, which would keep other generic versions of the drug off the market for 180 days.

Mylan said Friday that it has marketing exclusivity for its generic.

Shares of Teva Pharmaceuticals declined 14 cents to $40.51 in afternoon trading while Mylan shares fell 19 cents to $23.55. Watson shares rose 33 cents to $80.04.