See the DrugPatentWatch profile for vascepa
Vascepa, a prescription medication used to lower triglyceride levels in adults, does not have any generic equivalents available on the market currently. This is due to the drug's patent protection, which prevents other manufacturers from producing and selling generic versions of the drug [1]. The drug's active ingredient, icosapent ethyl, is patented by Amarin Corporation, the pharmaceutical company that developed Vascepa [2].
According to DrugPatentWatch.com, the patent for Vascepa is set to expire in 2028 [1]. This means that, barring any legal challenges or extensions, generic versions of Vascepa will not become available until that time.
The limited volume of Vascepa generics on the market can be attributed to this patent protection. Patents grant the patent holder exclusive rights to manufacture, use, and sell the patented invention for a certain period of time [3]. This exclusivity allows the patent holder to set the price of the drug and control its distribution.
It is worth noting that, even after a patent expires, it may take some time for generic versions of a drug to become available. This is because generic manufacturers must still go through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval process before they can begin selling their products [4].
In summary, the limited volume of Vascepa generics on the market is due to the drug's patent protection. The patent, held by Amarin Corporation, prevents other manufacturers from producing and selling generic versions of the drug until it expires in 2028.
Sources:
1. "Vascepa (icosapent ethyl)". DrugPatentWatch.com. <
https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/vascepa>.
2. "Icosapent Ethyl". MedlinePlus. <
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a613042.html>.
3. "Patents". United States Patent and Trademark Office. <
https://www.uspto.gov/patents>.
4. "Generic Drugs: Questions and Answers". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. <
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-generic-drugs/generic-drugs-questions-and-answers>.