Just throwing a question out there about Valtrex - Herpes Message Board

Mick1981 · 06-27-2009, 04:43 PM

I was thinking...

Now that Valtrex is available as a generic medication. Would this mean that more people will start taking the Generic as it is much cheaper...

With more people talking the Generic, this in turn would cause the profits that GlaxoSmithKline make off Valtrex to drop... so does anyone think this would push GSK to make a better more effective powerful drug than Valtrex to then regain their market share??

Just an idea that I had on the subject.

Truthseek · 06-27-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick1981

Now that Valtrex is available as a generic medication. Would this mean that more people will start taking the Generic as it is much cheaper...With more people talking the Generic, this in turn would cause the profits that GlaxoSmithKline make off Valtrex to drop... so does anyone think this would push GSK to make a better more effective powerful drug than Valtrex to then regain their market share??
Just an idea that I had on the subject.

The patent for Valtrex has not expired yet and before it does the drug companies usually can get extensions or develop a 'new and improved' version with a new patent. Currently there is no generic Valtrex. You see claims of it on the internet but buyer beware - there is no such animal yet. There are other generic drugs that treat herpes acyclovir & famciclovir. The main difference between them and Valtrex is that Valtrex is once a day and the others are twice a day and Valtrex did the studies that support its use to help prevent the spread of GH.

Drugs are and will continue to be big money makers for the Pharm. companies.

Mick1981 · 06-27-2009, 06:56 PM

The reason I ask... Is when I went to the pharmacy on Monday to get a script of Valtrex I was asked if i want Valtrex or if I want the generic.

I went with Valtrex though as here in Australia the Goverment pays about 80% of the costs of your percription meds so Valtrex here is only $30.50 for a box of 30... so I went with Valtrex, but I was told by the pharmesist that there is a generic available and it has only just come on the market and if i wanted that instead..

Is it possable for a generic to be available in Australia and not the US?

Truthseek · 06-27-2009, 09:35 PM

I had first heard that the patent ran out at the end of June 2009 which is just next week. But then I thought I read that it got extended to December.

I would think that it would be available in U.S. and other countries.

Perhaps the pharmacist just meant did you want the acylovir or famvir which are considered to be generic drugs. Just not specifically generic of Valtrex?

Hopefully, the drug will be available soon for all of us and be about 30% less cost wise. Thankfully, I have not had to renew my prescription for awhile now. My body seems to be managing it which is just fine by me.

Mick1981 · 06-28-2009, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeekingTruth4Al

Perhaps the pharmacist just meant did you want the acylovir or famvir which are considered to be generic drugs. Just not specifically generic of Valtrex?

That is what i'm thinking... since as you said the patent hasnt run out yet...

Just out of curiosity... How much is a box of Valtrex 500mg 30 tablet box in the U.S? Seems to be heaps more expensive in the U.S than Australia as I keep reading people saying it is too expensive to take...