Indian drugmakers Dr Reddy's and Lupin have launched generic versions of Pfizer's schizophrenia blockbuster Geodon in the USA after receiving final approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

Dr Reddy's was the first firm to say the FDA has backed its versions of Geodon (ziprasidone) which had annual sales of about $1.35 billion. Lupin noted that it got the thumbs-up from the agency as well and as one of the first applicants to file an Abbreviated New Drug Application for the drug, it is entitled to shared 180-days sales exclusivity.

As well as Geodon, Pfizer is going to suffer loss of exclusivity this year in the USA of its overactive bladder treatment Detrol (tolterodine). In November, the US giant suffered the patent expiry of its mega-blockbuster cholesterol-lowerer Lipitor (atorvastatin).