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Posted 8/23/2007 1:05 PM (GMT -6)
Does anyone know how you find out when the patent runs out on a drug?

I'm specifically wondering when Asacol will be available as a generic in the US. Also curious about Colazal, Remicade, Humira, etc.

Seems like anything worth anything with this disease is name-brand only! With the notable exception of azathioprine.
Posted 8/23/2007 1:29 PM (GMT -6)
Go to the U.S. Patent Office website and you'll find your answer there. Just google it.

Posted 8/23/2007 2:38 PM (GMT -6)
Going to http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html and searching for "Asacol" brings up 400 hits, and the first few only mention Asacol in passing, they are not patents for Asacol. I don't know where to start!
Posted 8/23/2007 2:58 PM (GMT -6)
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5541170.PN.&OS=PN/5541170&RS=PN/5541170

I think this is it. It says it was issued July 30, 1996. Does this mean we can expect generic Asacol sometime around 2013?
Posted 8/23/2007 5:40 PM (GMT -6)
I read something or saw something quite awhile ago that some of the heavy weight drug companies actually pay a lot of money to competitive companies to slow down or get them to not pursue a generic substitute. It is as profitable or more so to be paid (bribed is more like it) and not make the effort. Even if it is only a year or so I'm sure that translates into bigtime profit and revenue to offset what they pay off to other companies.

Anybody else every hear of anything like this? It sounds like it should be illegal actually. I can't remember where I heard that as it was so long ago.
Posted 8/23/2007 6:07 PM (GMT -6)

Another UC wife said...
I read something or saw something quite awhile ago that some of the heavy weight drug companies actually pay a lot of money to competitive companies to slow down or get them to not pursue a generic substitute. It is as profitable or more so to be paid (bribed is more like it) and not make the effort. Even if it is only a year or so I'm sure that translates into bigtime profit and revenue to offset what they pay off to other companies.

Anybody else every hear of anything like this? It sounds like it should be illegal actually. I can't remember where I heard that as it was so long ago.

Well, nothing surprises me. I wouldn't doubt it, but here's an interesting read on the subject.

http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/genericrx.html
Posted 8/23/2007 7:46 PM (GMT -6)

Another UC wife said...
I read something or saw something quite awhile ago that some of the heavy weight drug companies actually pay a lot of money to competitive companies to slow down or get them to not pursue a generic substitute. It is as profitable or more so to be paid (bribed is more like it) and not make the effort. Even if it is only a year or so I'm sure that translates into bigtime profit and revenue to offset what they pay off to other companies.

Anybody else every hear of anything like this? It sounds like it should be illegal actually. I can't remember where I heard that as it was so long ago.


I think it would be hard to bribe every generic drug company in the world.
Posted 8/24/2007 2:38 AM (GMT -6)
there is generic rowasa, and there is generic colocort. Those are god-sends. Generic colazol was JUST about to be released earlier this year, when the makers made a desperate ploy to get an extension on their patent by supposedly testing the drug on kids. Still, even that doesn't last a year if I remember right, so you'll see the first of the new class of 5-ASAs go generic in 2008.

prednisone is also generic and filthy cheap. ;)
Posted 8/24/2007 7:05 AM (GMT -6)
UC Veteran thanks for that link - very interesting and sad especially for those who have to pay out of pocket or have very high co payments. Kind of nice that WalMart has a large list of drugs for a small price if you compare their list against some of the co-pays or out of pocket people pay. Too bad the list isn't broader. I also heard that Costco is fair in a smaller profit margin.

I realize it would be very difficult if not impossible to pay off every company out there doing work on getting a drug to a generic state. I just remember seeing something along that line on 60 minutes or Primetime type show interviewing some industry "in the know" people about this.

Hopefully generics are right around the corner for all those who really need it. Yes Prednisone is so incredibly cheap - I'm amazed when we get it filled it is less than our required co-pay amt.
Posted 8/24/2007 8:25 AM (GMT -6)

AKB said...
there is generic rowasa, and there is generic colocort. Those are god-sends. Generic colazol was JUST about to be released earlier this year, when the makers made a desperate ploy to get an extension on their patent by supposedly testing the drug on kids. Still, even that doesn't last a year if I remember right, so you'll see the first of the new class of 5-ASAs go generic in 2008.

Oh, man, generic Colazal would be awesome. Can't wait for that!

I bet the availability of that would actually bring down the price of brand-name Asacol, since a lot of people on Asacol (like me) would otherwise try to switch to generic Colazal.
Posted 8/24/2007 8:45 AM (GMT -6)
Having started Lialda recently, I quickly found it isn't cheap.  Over $600 a bottle and taking 4 a day, I go through a bottle in a month.  Still paying $100 with insurance until I found out I can get it through the mail and get three bottles for $35!  It pays to read up on your insurance plan.
Posted 8/24/2007 4:02 PM (GMT -6)
Oh yes..........anybody with drug coverage if they are not aware should double check if they have a mail order option which is usually in the vicinity of getting a 90 day supply for what you pay for a 30 day supply.

Don't know if they all work this way but we have express scripts. You have the Dr write the prescription for a 90 day supply with 3 refills (if it is a drug that is refillable by law). You mail in the original first order. You can mail, call or go online to request a refill. When the last prescription is filled they send a pre-printed new order that the doctor just has to sign and the doctor's office will fax in for us as well.

So convenient. If you have this available and have not used it please do as it is very easy. The cost savings is the real big benefit of this.
Posted 8/24/2007 7:08 PM (GMT -6)
I hear drug companies try to find other off-label conditions that they can get their medicine approved for and thus indefinitely extend the patent life.

ie Repackaging prozac
Posted 9/8/2007 4:59 PM (GMT -6)
Just found this about Colazal.  Looks like 2014 might be the earliest. 

http://colitis.emedtv.com/colazal/generic-colazal.html

Posted 9/8/2007 8:33 PM (GMT -6)

cycling_sasquatch said...
Having started Lialda recently, I quickly found it isn't cheap.  Over $600 a bottle and taking 4 a day, I go through a bottle in a month.  Still paying $100 with insurance until I found out I can get it through the mail and get three bottles for $35!  It pays to read up on your insurance plan.

How did you do this?  I would really like to know.  I have a card that my GI gave me with my first script and fortunately, CVS keeps letting me get "the bottle" for $25 when it is supposed to cost $50. Granted, that is not as expensive as it is for others, but I'd like to get three bottles for $35!!!!!!!  Please advise tongue
Posted 9/8/2007 9:32 PM (GMT -6)
If you are lucky to have health insurance with drug coverage that allows a mail order basis it works in several ways. Our plan for a generic is $10 for a 30 day supply from a local pharmacy but if we use the "mail in" set up (our is Express scripts) then we pay the same $10 for a 90 day supply. Other plans may allow you to get a 90 day supply via mail order for a reduced rate when you compare your usual monthly amount X 3. It is so much more convenient this way also - not running to fill a prescription every month.

Your insurance has to have that benefit for you in order for you to avail yourself of it. Double check and see if you have that option. Hopefully you do.
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