UPDATE 1-EU body recommends Teva's generic hepatitis C drug

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LONDON, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (TEVA.O) has won backing from European regulators for its hepatitis C drug Ribavirin Teva, a generic version of Schering-Plough Corp's SGP.N Rebetol.

Rebetol is an anti-viral drug often given in combination interferon therapy.

The European Medicines Agency said on Thursday it had adopted a positive opinion following a submission by Teva in May 2008. Recommendations from the agency are normally endorsed by the European Commission within a couple of months. (Reporting by Ben Hirschler)