Teva launches generic dementia therapy rivastigmine

Teva has expanded its portfolio of dementia therapies with the launch of a generic version of its rivastigmine transdermal patches.

Available under the brand name Erastig, the 13.3mg 24-hour transdermal patches are an off-label version of the Novartis product Exelon. They are approved in the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's dementia.

Teva already markets several dementia medications in the UK and is actively investing in further research in this area, based on the fact the British population is ageing and the cost of caring for dementia patients is on the rise.

It is estimated that the availability of generic versions of medicines saves the NHS more than 12 billion pounds a year.

Paul Burden, director of generics at Teva, said: "We hope it makes a positive impact on the lives of patients living with Alzheimer's dementia, while also helping reduce the cost of treating this condition, which in turn helps the NHS, patients and payors."

There are 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. By 2050, this figure is projected to have risen to more than two million.