On June 29, 2000, ratiopharm GmbH, Europe's largest generic drug company, purchased Technilab Pharma to establish ratiopharm's generic operations in Canada. Long before being acquired by ratiopharm GmbH, Technilab Pharma and its group of companies, enjoyed a rich history and played an important role in the evolution of the Canadian generic industry. Founded in 1974, with head office in Mirabel, Quebec, Technilab Pharma was a prominent player in the field of generic prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. As Canada's leading manufacturer of liquid and topical generic drugs, Technilab Pharma marketed a wide range of products under the Technilab, Bio-Chimique, Charton and Rougier brands. On February 9, 1999, Technilab Pharma acquired AltiMed Pharmaceutical Company of Mississauga, Ontario. Formed in 1996 by Hoffmann-La Roche, Pharmacia & Upjohn and Glaxo Welcome, AltiMed was a generic industry leader and marketed over 70 generic products that generated annual sales of $100 million. With the acquisition of AltiMed, Technilab Pharma's annual sales more than doubled to $160 million. In terms of revenue generated, this acquisition moved Technilab Pharma from 6th to 3rd (among generic drug companies) and from 16th to 4th (among all drug companies) in terms of total number of prescriptions dispensed by pharmacists across Canada. products and services By striving to become an industry leader with respect to offering Canadian pharmacists an expanded range of products and professional services, ratiopharm is well positioned to become the most valued generic supplier to Canadian Pharmacy. Like all generic products sold in Canada, ratiopharm products contain the same active ingredient as the name brand or originator product. All ratiopharm products must meet intense regulatory requirements with respect to efficacy and safety versus the name brand product. The benefits of ratiopharm and other generic products is that they work as well as the name brand product but offer significant cost savings. ratiopharm currently markets over 250 generic products in a wide variety of dosage forms and therapeutic classes in Canada. With 100 new generic products expected to be released in the next five years, ratiopharm will continue to offer a broad range of product choices to Canadian pharmacy. Click here to learn more about ratiopharm products. In order to meet the professional needs of pharmacists, ratiopharm has introduced Rx solutions, a comprehensive technology and patient-focused program offering. The goal of Rx solutions is to help pharmacists face the challenges of a dynamic pharmacy practice environment. Rx solutions has helped pharmacists to become more efficient, differentiate their practice as well as enhance level of patient care. Click here to learn more about Rx solutions.