The Perrigo Company in partnership with InvaGen Pharmaceuticals has received a final approval from the US FDA to market Glimepiride tablets. Shipment of the product will begin immediately.

The product is the generic equivalent to Aventis Amaryl tablets indicated for the treatment of diabetes, claims a company release.

According to IMS data annual US retail channel sales for Amaryl were $309 million for the 12 months ended March 2005. Multiple competitors are expected at market formation creating a very competitive generic market for this product.

The Perrigo Company is a leading global healthcare supplier and the world's largest manufacturer of over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical and nutritional products for the store brand market. Store brand products are sold by food, drug, mass merchandise, dollar store and club store retailers under their own labels. The company also develops, manufactures and markets prescription generic drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients and consumer products, and operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Israel, United Kingdom, Mexico and Germany.