WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. (AP) - Generic drug maker Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Friday federal regulators granted marketing approval for its generic version of Warner Chilcott Co.'s oral contraceptive pill Estrostep Fe.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Barr's abbreviated new drug application for Estrostep Fe tablets, which will be sold by Barr under the name TriLegest Fe.

The drug is both for pregnancy prevention and treatment of certain kinds of acne in women.

Following a patent dispute in 2004, Warner Chilcott agreed to grant Barr a non-exclusive license to launch a generic version of Estrostep Fe in October, which is six months before the last patent expiration on Estrostep Fe, according to Barr.

Shares of Woodcliff Lake, N.J.-based Barr rose $1.78, or 3.3 percent, to close at $56.37, while Rockaway, N.J.-based Warner Chilcott's stock rose 10 cents to close at $18.80.

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