HEALTH CARE Generic Drug Watch: It “Pays” To Stay Tuned In (NAPSA)—If you’re concerned about healthcare costs, you should keep an eye on what’s happening with generic drugs. It is estimated that dozens of widely used brandname prescription drugs are scheduled to go off patent in the next four to five years, represent- ing $35-40 billion in annual sales. This means that bioequivalent versions of these drugs will be available for the first time—at costs typically 35 percent, and as much as 80 percent, less than brand versions. These include drugs you probably use, or have seen advertised on television, such as Claritin, Prozac and Zoloft. soon, access to affordable, quality healthcare for all Americans could be severely threatened. Business and consumers should have a strong interest in helping expire this year. However, there is a danger that some brand drug manufacturers, in an attempt to protect their market exclusivity, are engaging in a variety of unfair behaviorsto block competition. One popular action is filing new patents at the last minute, which is intended to extend their market exclusivity and timed to ensure that con- posed to be available. If introduced in a timely manner, generic equivalents would save American consumersbillions of dollars. And if reforms that widen access to generic versions of drugs like these are not made Followingis a brief list of some of the most popular drugs that could soon have lower-cost generic versions available. Generic ver- resentative and asking him or her ther delay is seen as an infringe- ensure that generic equivalents are possible. One wayto do this is by contacting your congressional rep- to support reforms andlegislation such as the McCain-Schumerbill, which will help widen access to sions for some of these drugs have already been delayed and any fur- ment of your rights, and, as the projected savings indicate, an assault on your budget. Brand Drug Use Year of Prilosec Acid reflux 2001 $114.25 S$ 74.26 Axid Ulcers and heartburn 2002 S 8.89 S 5.78 Claritin Tablets Seasonal allergies 2002 $201.58 $131.03 Flovent Asthma 2002 $102.23 S$ 66.45 Ortho-Novum Oral 2003 S 80.90 S$ 52.06 Prozac Depression 2001 or 2003 $249.99 $162.49 sumers pay brand-nameprices for years after generics were sup- can benefit from their savings as soon aspossible. made available as soon as legally Even the patent for Prilosec, the world’s best-selling drug, is set to generics and ensure that consumers contraceptive *Generic costs based on estimated 35 percent savings Patent Expiration Average Branded Prescription Drug Cost Potential Generic Prescription Drug Cost* Consumer Prices Source: CVS.com @ Some of the most popular prescription drugs may soon have lower cost generic versions available.
