Posted by Jackster on August 3, 2001, at 22:05:41
In reply to Re: Prozac patent runs out at midnight » Elizabeth, posted by Sunnely on August 2, 2001, at 19:31:46
> > Cool! :-) Do you know what companies will be marketing generics?
> >
> > -elizabeth
>
> Barr Labs has the exclusive rights to manufacture generic Prozac for the first 6 months. After that, every one else can join the fun and profit.
>
> Barr Labs, a few years back, threatened to sue Lilly re: manufacturing generic Prozac. Lilly paid them off $4 million and Barr Labs withdrew their suit. Therefore, Lilly's patent hold on Prozac was extended a few more years. Four million dollars is peanuts since Prozac had been a $2-billion drug/year for Lilly for several years. Barr Labs did the same thing to another drug company (not sure exactly which one) which has a blockbuster antibiotic. This drug company paid Barr Labs $16 million off to withdraw their suit.
poster:Jackster
thread:73106
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010731/msgs/73451.html