Generic versions of arthritis drug Celebrex become available in the US

The first generic version of Celebrex (celecoxib) capsules, a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, short-term (acute) pain, and other conditions has been approved in the US.
It means that the drug will become more affordable in the US – where people have to pay for medication.
“It is important for patients to have access to affordable treatment options for chronic conditions,” comments Dr Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Health care professionals and patients can be assured that these FDA-approved generic drugs have met our rigorous approval standards.”
The situation in the UK is different, thanks to the NHS, and Celebrex remains patented until November 2014. It won’t save everyday people money if and when generic versions are approved in the UK, but it could reduce expense for the NHS.
“Pfizer will continue to offer branded Celebrex to ensure that patients and prescribers have ongoing access to a proven medicine,” says a spokesperson from Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company that makes the drug. “For more than 30 years, Pfizer non-steroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID) medicines have helped people relieve their headaches, arthritis symptoms and other causes of pain or inflammation.”