After a pharmaceutical company's patent for a drug expires, other manufacturers are allowed to produce and sell generic versions of the drug. This is known as generic competition. As a result, the price of the drug typically decreases, making it more accessible to a larger number of patients [1]. Entresto, a medication used to treat heart failure, is expected to face generic competition following the expiration of its patent.
Entresto, manufactured by Novartis, is a combination of two drugs: sacubitril and valsartan. The drug was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015. According to DrugPatentWatch.com, Entresto's patent is set to expire in 2025 [2]. After this date, other manufacturers will be able to produce and sell generic versions of sacubitril and valsartan, potentially leading to a decrease in the price of Entresto.
It is important to note that even after a patent expires, it can still take some time for generic versions of a drug to become available. This is because manufacturers must still go through the FDA's approval process for generic drugs [3]. Additionally, in some cases, pharmaceutical companies may take legal action to delay the entry of generics into the market [4].
In summary, after Entresto's patent expires in 2025, other manufacturers will be able to produce and sell generic versions of the drug, potentially leading to a decrease in its price. However, it may take some time for generic Entresto to become available, as manufacturers must still go through the FDA's approval process.
Sources:
1. <https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-competition-important-drug-prices-and-patient-access>
2. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/entresto>
3. <https://www.fda.gov/drugs/development-approval-process-drugs/application-process-generic-drugs>
4. <https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/paragraph-iv-patent-challenge-procedures>