Teva reports Q4, full-year results

JERUSALEM — Drug maker Teva on Tuesday said its North American sales during the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 drove the drug maker's financial well-being.

Sales in North America for the fourth quarter reached $2.5 billion, accounting for 56% of total sales and representing an increase of 7% compared with the year-ago period. U.S. generic sales may have dropped 5% to $1.3 billion, but Teva noted that key contributors to the quarter's sales included continued strong sales of generic versions of Effexor XR (venlafaxine) and Pulmicort Respules (budesonide), as well as continued solid sales of Copaxone.

For the full year, Teva said its North American sales rose 16% to nearly $10 billion.

Overall sales for the company reached nearly $4.42 billion in the fourth quarter, a 16% increase, while full-year sales rose to $16.1 billion from $13.9 billion in 2009.