It typically takes Barr three weeks to fully launch a drug. Time is important because Barr has six months of market exclusivity to sell the 20 milligram capsule, which now accounts for 80 per cent to 90 per cent of Prozac's revenues. Four other companies have exclusive six-month rights to other strengths or tablet forms of the generic drug. The high-profile battle over Prozac was the latest in an ongoing stream of patent lawsuits between big pharmaceutical companies and generic firms. Generic firms accuse major pharmaceutical companies of adding insignificant patents to drugs to extend monopolies.
Pharmaceutical firms counter the newer patents are the important results of ongoing research.
The Federal Trade Commission is studying whether drug companies are trying to block the launch of generic drugs but is also exploring if the generic firms are colluding with the big players to benefit. Copyright 2000 Times Internet Limited. All rights reserved.