Actavis launches Montelukast tablets for asthma treatment

Actavis has announced the launch of Montelukast tablets, a generic equivalent of the commercially successful asthma therapy Singulair.

To be manufactured at Actavis' Malta facility, the new product has been introduced immediately after the patent on the original Merck Sharp and Dohme drug expired.

Actavis' version of the drug is being launched in the UK, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden and is available in regular tablet form for patients aged 15 years and above, while chewable versions can be purchased for younger children.

IMS Health data shows that the 10 mg tablet version of Montelukast generated approximately 458 million euros (399.88 million pounds) in branded and generic sales in Europe in the 12 months ending September 2012.

Meanwhile, the 4 mg and 5 mg chewable options recorded sales worth 153 million euros in the same period.

Last month, Actavis published its first financial report since its recent merger with Watson, revealing a 29 percent year-on-year increase in net revenues in 2012.