Taro receives FDA approval for skin cancer generic

HAWTHORNE, N.Y. The Food and Drug Administration has approved Taro Pharmaceutical Industries’ generic version of a drug for treating skin cancer, Taro announced Monday.

The FDA approved Taro’s fluorouracil cream in the 5% strength. The drug is used to treat superficial basal cell carcinoma and multiple actinic or solar keratosis.

Fluorouracil is a generic version of Valeant Pharmaceuticals’ Efudex, which had sales of $70 million in 2009, according to industry sources.