UTRECHT, The Netherlands, May 19, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Teva Santé, one of France's leading generic medicines companies, has welcomed news that the French Competition Authority has agreed to its request to investigate alleged anti-competitive practices by Sanofi-Aventis aimed at preventing generic competition to its Plavix(R) (clopidogrel) treatment.

In November last year, Teva Santé filed a complaint with the French Competition Authority against alleged practices by Sanofi-Aventis which, according to Teva Santé, had the effect of excluding generic drugs competing with Plavix(R) including Teva's own clopidogrel generic medicine.

In its decision published yesterday, the French Competition Authority said that it intends to carry out an in-depth investigation on alleged behaviour by Sanofi-Aventis to shut out generic competition.

According to the Authority, Sanofi-Aventis' communications toward scientists and practitioners emphasise differences between Plavix(R) and competing generics (including Clopidogrel Teva Pharma 75 mg) without revealing that these differences have no impact on the therapeutic efficacy of the product, and that the generic formulation has been fully tested and approved for use by medical authorities across Europe.

Dr. Gerard van Odijk, CEO of Teva Europe, welcomed the Authority's ruling: We believe in a fair and open market that delivers affordable healthcare for patients and the taxpayer across Europe. The Authority's decision to investigate Sanofi-Aventis' behaviour underlines our view that such practices are likely to prevent access to competition and damage the long-term interests of patients.

Maurice Chagnaud, CEO of Teva Santé, said: Innovator companies need to understand that they cannot use misleading practices to prevent competition from therapeutically equivalent and effective generic products. Generic medicines help make healthcare affordable, and we consider that practices aimed at stifling fair competition are unlawful.

Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe BV

Computerweg 10, 3542 DR Utrecht, Netherlands

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. , headquartered in Israel, is among the top 15 pharmaceutical companies in the world and is the leading generic pharmaceutical company. The company develops, manufactures and markets generic and innovative pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Over 80 percent of Teva's sales are in North America and Western Europe.

SOURCE: Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe BV

CONTACT: Media contact: Paul Williams, Teva Europe, +44(0)7798-582889,paul.williams@tevauk.com