Ranbaxy launches Pravastatin Sodium 80 mg tablets in US

New Delhi, June 25 (UNI) Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc (RPI), the wholly-owned arm of Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd (RLL), today launched pravastatin sodium in the US and will enjoy a 180-day exclusivity for the drug.

The annual sales for the tablets, were 209 million dollars, a company statement said.

''We will make pravastatin sodium in the strength of 80 mg tablets available to all classes of trade immediately, and our Ranbaxy sales and distribution teams will be doing everything to have product in the hands of our customers as quickly as possible, '' company's Vice-President (sales and marketing, US) Jim Meehan said in a company statement.

Pravastatin is used in the treatment of primary prevention of coronary events such as in hypercholesterolemic patients without clinically evident coronary heart disease. It also reduces the risk of myocardial infarction, undergoing myocardial revascularisation procedures and cardiovascular mortality with no increase in death from non-cardiovascular causes.

Pravastatin helps in the treatment of secondary prevention of cardiovascular events like in patients with clinically evident coronary heart disease to reduce the risk of stroke and stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), and slow the progression of coronary atherosclerosis RPI is engaged in the sales and distribution of generic and branded prescription products in the US healthcare system.

RLL, is an integrated, research-based, international pharmaceutical company producing a wide range of quality, affordable generic medicines, trusted by healthcare professionals and patients across geographies. It's continued focus on R&D has resulted in several approvals in developed markets and significant progress in New Drug Discovery Research.

The company's foray into novel drug delivery systems has led to proprietary ''platform technologies'', resulting in a number of products under development.

The company has its operations in over 125 countries and has an expanding international portfolio of affiliates, joint ventures and alliances, ground operations in 49 countries and manufacturing operations in 11 countries.

UNI