Generics Switzerland-based generic drugmaker Actavis, now wholly-owned by the USA's Watson Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: WPI), last Friday announced the launch of the proton pump inhibitor rabeprazole in Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands and UK immediately after the patents expired on 12-13 November. The product will be launched in Italy shortly. In Austria, Actavis started the pricing process on day one. 18 November 2012