Generic version of Yaz released by Maker of Ocella (generic form of Yasmin)
Yaz and Yasmin, manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, are some of the top selling birth control pills in the United States. But as is often the case with such popular brand name drugs, another pharmaceutical company is trying to cash in on some of the success of these pills. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. signed a licensing agreement with Bayer and released a generic form of Yasmin marketed as “Ocella” in July 2008. In Ocella’s first financial year, Teva reported that U.S. sales were $170.2 million..jpg)
Well, it looks like Teva is at it again – this time with Yasmin’s sister birth control Yaz. The Associated Press reported that Teva has now released a generic version of Yaz. Yaz, a slightly lower dose of the same hormones used in Yasmin, had sales in the U.S. of $782 million in 2009. Earlier this year in April, Teva received approval from the FDA to market its generic version of Yaz, which Teva is calling “Gianvi.”
Bayer, however, is not too pleased with Teva’s early release of the generic Yaz. As part of Teva’s earlier agreement with Bayer, Teva was not supposed to launch a generic Yaz pill until July 2011. In response to Teva’s decision, the German drugmaker filed a lawsuit against Teva for patent infringement.
As we wrote in an earlier Yaz blog post, these little pills mean big profits for original manufacturer Bayer and now Teva, with its generic forms of Yaz and Yasmin. Despite hundreds of lawsuits filed by women who have suffered life-changing injuries, Bayer and Teva continue to market and profit from the sale of these pills.
