Par Pharma Begins Shipping Generic Atacand HCT

Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc. today announced that its Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. operating subsidiary has entered into an exclusive U.S. supply and distribution agreement with AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) to distribute the authorized generic version of AstraZeneca's Atacand HCT^® (candesartan cilexetil/hydrochlorothiazide). Par has begun shipping 16/12.5 mg, 32/12.5 mg and 32/25 mg strengths of candesartan cilexetil/ hydrochlorothiazide tablets. According to IMS Health data, annual U.S. sales of Atacand HCT^® are approximately $61 million.