When Big Pharma invents a new drug, it works like a cash machine for these Giant Pharma. With USA patents protecting new discoveries from competition, drug developers Giant like Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and AstraZeneca can charge whatever they want for their little miracles.

Until, that is E day, the patent expiry date. Then it’s goodbye profits, and hello generics! Behind every new drug is a generic copycat. In India, it works in different ways. Any pharma company can produce any drugs that domestic market need. Live is the first.

This year 2009, according to Standard & Poor’s research, branded drug sales are set to decline for the first time. That’s partly due to the economy, but also due to increasing competition from generics. IMS Health, the industry’s clearinghouse for drug sales data, says that $24 billion worth of branded drugs this year will get generic competitors, up from $18 billion last year. The figure will hit $30 billion by 2012.

Launched: January 2005
2008 sales: $900 million
Branded equivalent: Duragesic, by Janssen, 2008 sales of $1.1 billion

Launched: July 2007
2008 sales: $779 million
Branded equivalent: Norvasc, by Pfizer (PFE, Fortune 500), 2008 sales of $2.2 billion

Launched: May 2008
2008 sales: $675 million
Branded equivalent: Toprol, by AstraZeneca (AZN), 2008 sales $807 million

Launched: February 2005
2008 sales: $671 million
Branded equivalent: Lamictal, by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), 2008 sales $1.6 billion

Launched: September 2008
2008 sales: $610 million
Branded equivalent: Risperdal, by Janssen, 2008 sales $2.1 billion

Launched: July 2008
2008 sales: $609.8 million
Branded equivalent: Prilosec, by AstraZeneca, 2008 sales $1.1 billion

Launched: November 2005
2008 sales: $599 million
Branded equivalent: Zithromax, by Pfizer, 2008 sales $429 million

Launched: December 2006
2008 sales: $521 million
Branded equivalent: Wellbutrin, by Biovail (BVF), 2008 sales $579 million

Where there are generic drugs, there are lawyers. Biovail tried to avoid the coming generic onslaught for its antidepressant Wellbutrin by launching an extended-release version of the drug, called Wellbutrin XL, in August 2003.

Remmember that buying generic drugs is to save you money.

Related posts:

1. World Top Ten Antimicrobial Agents and generic drugs list
2. About generic drugs

The global pharmaceutical markets expanded to $770 billion in 2008. Biotechnology took $120 billion (15,6%) and generic drugs once again increased it share of the global pie to $80 billion (10,4%). The antibacterial market leaders were Zosyn, Floxin and Cravit.
Several blockbuster drugs got patent expiry. Lipitor retained its top position as the best selling global drug with $12.4 B in sales, Plavix won the second place with sales of $5.6 billion and the third place belonged to Enbrel (Etanercept) – $3.4 billion.

The global antimicrobial therapeutic market was $24 billion in 2008 with 14 products recording sales of more than $1 billion. Truveda, Valtrex and Atripla were the leading antiviral agents. Valtrex contributed $1.7 Billion in total sales $43.0 B of GSK.

As of September 06, 2009, there are 4186 generic drugs and dosages on the list: link 1 (PDF). You can find one and get the generic version at lower price elsewhere.

You may find Generic version of Lipitor, Floxin, Valtrex  at several pharmacies, one of them is www.IndianPharmacy.org an indian online pharmacy supplies more than 400 generic medicines.

Related posts:

1. Generic drugs superstars

The back of the postcard explains: “Richard T. Clark, CEO of Merck & Co. Pharmaceuticals, is wanted for pricing Merck’s HIV/AIDS drug Isentress so high that it is now the most expensive first-line HIV/AIDS drug. Recently approved by the FDA as a first-line treatment, Isentress is up to three times more expensive than other first-line treatments—as much as $12,864 per patient per year. This criminal pricing threatens to limit the ability of Medicaid and AIDS Drug Assistance programs nationwide to provide crucial lifesaving drugs to it patients.”

“It is criminal for Merck to have priced its newest HIV/AIDS drug, Isentress at an astronomical $12,864 per patient per year – especially now that the FDA has approved the drug for first-line use, vastly increasing the drug`s market,” said Michael Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation President. “AHF has repeatedly requested that Merck lower the price of Isentress so that more patients will be able to access it. Merck has refused to do so. Cash-strapped ADAP and Medicaid programs will go bankrupt if these government programs-and the taxpayers who fund them-are forced to continue subsidizing the cost of new medicines like Isentress that are priced unjustifiably high.”

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1. Dont want to die, buy it

Prescription drugs can be a costly medical expense for every one, especially for older people and those who are chronically ill (diabetes, hypertension, pain, cancer etc), since you have to take drugs on daily basic.

However, each country has a law that lets your pharmacists/pharmacies substitute less expensive generic drugs for many brand-name drugs. Depending on your prescription needs, your savings cost could be significant. Before talking with your doctor or pharmacist about switching to low cost generic drugs, there are things you need to know about generic drugs benefit and the law.

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