Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s Generic VALTREX(R) 500 mg and 1000 mg Receives FDA Approval

MORRISTOWN, N.J., May 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI), today announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration on its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Valacyclovir Hydrochloride tablets, USP, in the 500 and 1000 mg strengths, the generic equivalent to GlaxoSmithKline, LLC's VALTREX® tablets. Watson intends to begin shipping the product shortly.

VALTREX® 500 and 1000 mg had total U.S. sales of approximately $1.8 billion for the twelve months ending March 2010, according to IMS Health. Valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets are indicated for treatment of cold sores (herpes labialis), initial episodes of genital herpes in immunocompetent adults, recurrent episodes of genital herpes in immunocompetent adults, chronic suppressive therapy of recurrent episodes of genital herpes in immunocompetent and in HIV-infected adults, the reduction of transmission of genital herpes in immunocompetent adults, and the treatment of herpes zoster (shingles) in immunocompetent adults.

About Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in the development and distribution of generic pharmaceuticals and specialized branded pharmaceutical products focused on Urology and Women's Health. Watson has operations in many of the world's established and growing international markets.

For press release and other company information, visit Watson Pharmaceuticals' Web site at http://www.watson.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained in this press release that refer to non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Watson's current perspective of existing information as of the date of this release. It is important to note that Watson's goals and expectations are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results may differ materially from Watson's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Watson's business. These factors include, among others, the impact of competitive products and pricing; the timing and success of product launches; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; the availability and pricing of third party sourced products and materials; successful compliance with FDA and other governmental regulations applicable to Watson and its third party manufacturers' facilities, products and/or businesses; changes in the laws and regulations, including Medicare and Medicaid, affecting among other things, pricing and reimbursement of pharmaceutical products; and such other risks and uncertainties detailed in Watson's periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Watson's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,2009 and Watson's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2010. Except as expressly required by law, Watson disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

VALTREX® is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.

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SOURCE Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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