Teva says it will stop making propofol sedative

NEW YORK (AP) - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. said Friday it will stop making its sedative propofol, which became infamous when it was linked to the death of Michael Jackson last year.

Teva did not say why it is discontinuing propofol, but the company is facing almost 250 lawsuits connected to the drug. It is a sedative used in operating rooms.

AstraZeneca PLC sells the brand name version of the drug, which is called Divipran. A few other drugmakers also have been authorized to sell generic versions.

Teva said it will continue marketing doses that have already been made. The company said it believes propofol is safe and effective when it is used properly.

In 2008, propofol was connected to a hepatitis C outbreak that infected as many as 114 people. Vials of propofol were allegedly used to treat more than one patient each, spreading the liver disease.