FDA issues final approval for Perrigo's generic Zyrtec

ALLEGAN, Mich. The Food and Drug Administration has given approval to Perrigo to manufacture and market cetirizine hydrochloride syrup in 1mg per milliliter strength.

The syrup, a generic version of McNeil Consumer Healthcare’s Zyrtec syrup, relieves symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

“This approval reflects both our strategy to be first to market with important products and the unique position of the company both in front of and behind the pharmacy counter,” Perrigo Chairman and chief executive officer Joseph Papa said.

Pfizer, which originally marketed Zyrtec, reported that it had sales of $1 billion in 2007. Pfizer lost U.S. exclusivity for Zyrtec in January, according to its annual report.