Here Pharmacy

When a drug's exclusivity expires, how soon after will I find a cheaper version in the pharmacy?

In other words - do other companies start selling their versions the day after the exclusivity expires or is it just then that they start working on creating their own version and we can find cheaper versions on the shelf only, say, few years later? I am specifically wondering about "Imiquimod", Thanks, UrG

Public Comments

1. Yes, often so. More likely, the same company will release a cheaper version to assist in the padding of their own pockets. Other drug companies will gain the "recipe" and market their own versions soon after.
2. yeah, usually new generics get express shipped via UPS rather than coming with the regular order so i think they usually come the day the patent expires. of course drug companies will usually sue over something stupid and tie it up in court which keeps you from being able to sell it for a few more months after that. Aldara (imiquimod) has been around forever, i bet it will expire within a few years but i dont know exactly. you could probably figure out by doing some internet searching
3. 7 yrs
4. Assuming there is not any lawsuit holding up the generic release, the generics are available pretty soon afterwards. Normally, the FDA is good about getting new generics approved by the end of the patent on the brand.