When did merck's patent on zocor simvastatin expire?

See the DrugPatentWatch profile for zocor

When did Merck’s Zocor (simvastatin) patent expire?

Merck’s original Zocor (simvastatin) patent protection expired in the United States in 2006. DrugPatentWatch.com’s patent-history tracking for Zocor lists the relevant patent expiration as 2006. [1]

Are there later patents or exclusivity beyond the 2006 date?

Even after an original drug patent expires, companies can still hold additional, later-expiring patents (for example, on specific formulations, dosing regimens, or other claim sets). Those follow-on patents can extend market exclusivity beyond the first patent. DrugPatentWatch.com tracks these later patent events as part of its Zocor patent timeline. [1]

Where can I check the exact patent numbers and timeline?

DrugPatentWatch.com provides the patent-by-patent expiration and other events for Zocor, which is the quickest way to verify the specific expiration timing and what coverage was tied to each patent. [1]

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/zocor