Actavis’ Clients Launch First Generic Atorvastatin In Spain

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND--(Marketwire - October 01, 2009) - Actavis Group, the international generic pharmaceuticals company, today announced that its third-party sales division, Medis, has delivered 30 million tablets of Atorvastatin to its clients in Spain. This is the first generic version of the blockbuster molecule to reach the Spanish market.

The product, Atorvastatin Magnesium, is launched by four of Spain's largest generic pharmaceutical companies. Distribution of the product to Spanish pharmacies has already commenced.

Atorvastatin efficiently regulates the blood cholesterol levels and is one of the most effective drugs used in the therapy of primary hypercholesterolemia. Atorvastatin Magnesium is produced by Actavis in 10mg, 20mg and 40mg tablets. Pfizer, the originator, markets its product in Spain under the brand names of Cardyl® and Zarator®. Atorvastatin's US brand name is Lipitor®.

Atorvastatin tablets are subject to widely varying patent situations around the world, which is why Medis has invested significantly in different forms of the molecule. In Spain, the patent landscape is different to other Western European markets, and the originator product, containing Atorvastatin Calcium, is patented until 2010.

Medis is currently promoting three different dossiers for Atorvastatin and has been supplying a product suitable for Central Eastern Europe for close to two years. Medis' alternative generic, Atorvastatin Magnesium, can be launched in Spain now, as it has been approved by the Spanish authorities. Medis has worked closely with its clients on the preparations for the launch.

Actavis has already launched Atorvastatin Calcium under its own brand name in 15 countries in Europe and Asia where there was no patent. Atorvastatin Magnesium will be launched in Spain under Actavis' own brand name shortly.

Annual sales of Cardyl® and Zarator® in Spain are approximately EUR 396 million (2008, IMS Health). Atorvastatin is currently the top selling drug in Spain, and indeed the world.

About Actavis Group

Actavis is one of the world's leading generic pharmaceutical companies specializing in the development, manufacture and sale of generic pharmaceuticals. The company has operations in 40 countries, with 10,000 employees.

Any statements contained in this press release that refer to Actavis' estimated or anticipated future results or future activities are forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current analysis of existing trends, information and plans. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially depending on factors such as the availability of resources, the timing and effect of regulatory actions, the success of new products, the strength of competition, the success of research and development issues, unexpected contract breaches or terminations, exposure to product liability and other lawsuits, the effect of currency fluctuations and other factors.

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