Ranbaxy Launches Donepezil 5 mg and 10 mg Tablets to U.S. Healthcare System

GURGAON, India and PRINCETON, N.J., Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (RLL), announced that RLL has received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to manufacture and market Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets 5 mg and 10 mg with 180-day market exclusivity in the U.S. healthcare system.  Total annual market sales for Aricept® 5 mg and 10 mg tablets were $2.6 billion (IMS-MAT: September 2010).  Aricept® is indicated for the treatment of dementia of the Alzheimer's type, and in patients with mild to moderate and severe Alzheimer's disease.

"We are pleased to announce the launch of Donepezil, which expands Ranbaxy's portfolio of affordable generic pharmaceuticals.  Ranbaxy's generic formulation of Aricept® will benefit the U.S. healthcare system by providing a more affordable treatment option to patients, which will have a positive impact on escalating U.S. healthcare costs," said Bill Winter, Vice President of Trade Sales, RPI.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, 5.3 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer's disease.  "Since the incidence of dementia has increased, while the costs associated with treating dementia continue to rise, the launch of a generic formulation of Donepezil tablets will provide patients with a cost effective alternative.  The end result will be a significant reduction in healthcare costs for those individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease," commented Arun Sawhney, Managing Director, Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RPI) based in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (RLL), India's largest pharmaceutical company.  RPI is engaged in the sale and distribution of generic and branded prescription products in the U.S. healthcare system.

Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, headquartered in India, 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. Ranbaxy'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 is serving its customers in over 125 countries and has an expanding international portfolio of affiliates, joint ventures and alliances, ground operations in 46 countries and manufacturing operations in 7 countries. Ranbaxy is a member of the Daiichi Sankyo Group. Daiichi Sankyo is a leading global pharma innovator, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

*Aricept® is a registered trademark of Eisai Inc.

SOURCE Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc.