Bausch & Lomb Receives FDA Approvalto Make and Sell Generic Glaucoma Drug

Bausch & Lomb has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the Company's Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, 0.2 percent, indicated for use in lowering intraocular pressure in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

In addition to the ANDA approval, Bausch & Lomb received FDA marketing exclusivity for this generic medication until September 20, 2003.

Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, 0.2 percent, was sold under the brand name Alphagan by Allergan, Inc., which unsuccessfully tried to block Bausch & Lomb's efforts to bring to market a generic version of the medicine by filing two patent infringement lawsuits, both of which Bausch & Lomb won.

Bausch & Lomb's generic version of the prescription eye drop is available immediately.

Bausch & Lomb manufactures this and other proprietary and generic prescription medicines at its U.S. pharmaceuticals facility in Tampa, Fla.