I thought the company that produces Imitrex has the patent till 2006. Yet there are many pharmacy websites advertising generic Imitrex, also known as Sumatriptan. How would I find out what those pills actually contain? Is it possible to have a generic when there is a patent on the original?
Thank you!
Wondering
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Dear Wondering,
To the best of my understanding, the United States patent for Imitrex, a migraine medication manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, runs through December of 2006. Note, however, that this is the U.S. patent.
Generic versions of pharmaceuticals which are still under patent in the United States can be, and often are, manufactured with impunity outside of the United States, where United States patent law does not extend. They are then sold through non-U.S. outlets. While this is not a new situation, the advent of the Internet has created a new dynamic, allowing people anywhere in the United States to obtain these products simply by pressing “submit”.
However, lack of regulation can make such purchasing an online Russian roulette. Unless you are buying from a reputable, known vendor, you stand a good chance of getting something of subpotency, or no potency, which will have no affect, or, worse, something which has an undesired affect.
Anne