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Court Ruling Halts Sales of Generic Plavix
A federal judge ordered drug maker Apotex last week to stop distributing its generic version of the popular blood thinner Plavix (clopidogrel).
The ruling is part of an ongoing patent dispute between Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi-Aventis (which comarket brand name Plavix) and Apotex. When a settlement that would have delayed a generic version of the drug fell apart last month, Apotex began flooding the market with the generic.
The generic has been selling for about $24 less per month than the branded version.
Last week's court ruling did not require Apotex to recall drugs that it has already shipped, so it may be several months before suppliers run out. The case continues, but the judge indicated Apotex's patent challenge would likely fail.
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Published in Physician's First Watch September 5, 2006
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