Thread: Consumers to benefit as patent expires on Plavix

Consumers to benefit as patent expires on Plavix

Written by
Gary Robbins
6:30 a.m., May 4, 2012

The patent on Plavix will expire on May 17, which may end up saving consumers a lot of money. It's common for lower cost generics to come on the market about the time a patent expires. The demand for a generic version of Plavix would likely be huge; it was the third highest selling pharmaceutical in the country in 2010, generating $4.7 billion in revenue. (Stats). We discussed the drug with Eric Topol, the cardiologist who serves as chief academic officer at Scripps Health.

Q: Are there effective generic versions of Plavix on the market?

A: There are supposed to be new generic versions available as of May 17th, and they already have been available in Canada.

Q: What questions should patients ask their doctors before they switch to a generic version of Plavix?

A: Unless proven otherwise, the generic versions should be considered fine as a substitute, at a much lower cost.

Q: Is Plavix equally effective in most people who take the drug?

A: No, it is not. About 30 percent or more of patients have a gene variant that does not allow normal metabolism of the drug, which is required in order for it to be active. In patients who are having a stent, it is recommended that either a gene test or a platelet function test (clotting) be done to make sure that the Plavix or generic version is actually working in that individual.

Consumers to benefit as patent expires on Plavix | UTSanDiego.com

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