FDA approves Teva application for fentanyl patch

JERUSALEM The Food and Drug Administration has approved Teva’s application for its fentanyl transdermal system, the Israeli drug maker announced Monday.

The patches, which will deliver the medication at rates of 25 to 100 micrograms per hour for treating pain, are a generic equivalent to Johnson & Johnson’s Duragesic patches.

Combined sales of the branded and generic versions of the drug were $1.2 billion during the 12 months ending June 30, according to IMS Health data.

Teva said shipment of the patches had begun already.