FTC sues Warner Chilcott, Barr for collusion

The FTC has announced that it is suing Warner Chilcott and Barr Laboratories over an alleged agreement signed between the two companies to prevent Barr from selling a generic version of the birth control pill Ovcon. Warner Chilcott, the original maker of the drug, faced a 50 percent decline in sales once the pill's patent was up, and Barr had plans to launch a generic version of the drug. Warner was working a chewable tablet but was unable to launch it before Barr's drug hit the market. To prevent financial losses, the FTC alleges Warner offered Barr $20 million not to market generic Ovcon in the US for five years.

- read this press release for more details on the Warner Chilcott/Barr agreement