Amityville drug maker gets OK for generic antibiotic

The FDA has approved Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co.'s application to make and sell a generic form of levofloxacin, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections -- and the company said it's ready to produce the medication right away.

The Amityville drugmaker asked the Food and Drug Administration for permission to produce the generic version of Levaquin, made by McNeil Pharmaceutical, after the patent on that drug expired.

The antibiotic "is indicated for the treatment of adults with mild, moderate and severe infections," Hi-Tech said.

Hi-Tech said it has 13 products awaiting approval at the FDA and another 20 products in active development including sterile ophthalmic products, oral solutions and suspensions and nasal sprays.