India Sun Pharma gets U.S. FDA nod for benzonatate

MUMBAI, March 24 (Reuters) - India's Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (SUN.BO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said it has approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market benzonatate capsules, the generic version of Forest Laboratories' (FRX.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Tessalon.

The drug, used to treat cough, common cold, pneumonia and other lung infections, would be available in 100 mg and 200 mg dosages, the firm said in a statement.

Benzonatate had annual sales of about $40 million in the United States, Sun said, adding it would start selling the drug shortly. (Reporting by Narayanan Somasundaram)