FTC approves Mylan's acquisition of Merck's generics unit

WASHINGTON Mylan Laboratories acquisition of Merck’s KGaA’s generic unit was approved last week by the Federal Trade Commission after the companies agreed to divest five drugs, according to the Pittsburgh Business Times.

The companies will sell the five generic drugs to Amneal Pharmaceuticals.  Four drugs are for hypertension: acebutolol hydrochloride, sotalol hydrochloride AF, guanfacine hydrochloride and nicardipine hydrochloride.  The fifth drug is an anti-arrhythmia medication called flecainide acetate.

The FTC said without the divestitures, Mylan's purchase of Merck's generics business "would result in reduced competition and higher prices for U.S. consumers of several important generic pharmaceuticals."