Popular Brand Name Drugs To Be Offered As Generics Soon

Four of the ten most commonly prescribed brand name medications will lose their patent protection by 2008. This is good news for consumers who choose to use generics to save money on their prescription medication. Both Zocor (cholestorol-lowering medicine) and Zoloft (anti depressant) have already lost their patents earlier this year. Norvasc, a high blood pressure medicine, will lose its patent in 2007, and Advair (for asthma) will lose its patent in 2008. If generic drug makers develop less expensive versions of all of these medications, consumers will reap great financial rewards. Zocor is already available in a generic form.

Other popular brand name medicines will lose their patents before 2010, including Prevacid, Effexor, Ambien, and Fosamax.