Dr. Reddy's launches hair-loss drug

HYDERABAD, India — Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic drug for treating baldness, the Indian drug maker said.

Dr. Reddy's announced the launch of finasteride tablets in the 1-mg strength, a generic version of Merck's Propecia. As the first company to successfully file for approval of a generic version of the drug, Dr. Reddy's is entitled to 180 days of market exclusivity in which to compete directly with the branded version.

Propecia had sales of about $136 million during the 12-month period that ended in October 2012, according to IMS Health.

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