Watson to buy Teva drugs for $36m

Watson Pharmaceuticals has paid Israeli generics firm Teva $36m (€27.6m) for 17 products that the latter firm is selling under the terms of its $7.5bn acquisition of Barr Pharmaceuticals.

The drugs in question, which include an antidepressant and a diabetes medication, are being sold of as part of Teva’s compliance with anti-trust regulations. Teva will continue to manufacture the products on Watson’s behalf.

Watson CEO Paul Bisaro said: "These products represent a sound complement to our extensive generics portfolio," adding that they will have immediate impact on the company will begin to see a financial benefit in 2009.