FDA Approves Generic Versions of Singulair
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JB Reed/Bloomberg News(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first generic versions of the drug Singulair for allergy and asthma sufferers.
The drug, which blocks the action of substances that cause hayfever and other allergy symptoms, is the latest in a string of well-known drugs – like Lipitor and Plavix – that have been on the market so long that their patents no longer apply.
“For people who suffer from chronic health conditions such as asthma and allergies, it is important to have effective and affordable treatment options,” Gregory P. Geba, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Office of Generic Drugs in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a press release. “The generic products approved today will expand those options for patients.”
The generic versions of the drug approved Friday are for use in both adults and children.
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