Israel' Teva Pharmaceutical has announced May 28 that the U.S. FDA has granted tentative approval for the company's abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) to market its generic version of Merck's antihypertensive agent Cozaar (losartan potassium) tablets, in strengths of 25, 50 and 100 mg. Final approval of this ANDA is expected in April 2010 when patent protection for the brand product expires, said the company.

Cozaar has been shown to be effective when used alone or with other high blood pressure medications, such as diuretics that help the body get rid of water. The medication is also used to slow the progress of kidney disease caused by Type 2 diabetes.