FDA approves Sandoz dermatology drug

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Sandoz for treating symptoms of various skin diseases.

Sandoz, the generics arm of Swiss drug maker Novartis, announced the approval of desoximetasone ointment in the 0.25% strength. The drug is a generic version of Taro Pharmaceutical Industries' Topicort and, according to Sandoz, is the first Fougera dermatology product Sandoz has launched since its $1.5 billion acquisition of the company in May 2012.

Topicort and its generic versions had sales of $36.5 million during the 12-month period that ended in August 2012, according to IMS Health.

Interested in this topic? Sign up for our weekly DSN Collaborative Care e-newsletter.