This was largely due to the US patent expiration of high blood pressure drug, Avapro / Avalide (irbesartan), in March 2012, followed by blood clot treatment Plavix (clopidogrel) in May 2012.

In clinical studies of irbesartan there was no relationship between the dosage and the overall frequency of adverse reactions. The rates of serious adverse events were similar for irbesartan (1.0% ...