International Generic Ambien - Is it for Real? - Sleep Disorders Message Board

mrm · 12-18-2006, 06:51 PM

Some mail order companies are advertising Generic Ambien. I know that there is no such thing in the states. Is this a scheme? IT is a ton cheaper, and the cost of the legite Ambien is killing me. No clue why we dont have a generic in the states yet....its been like 14 years since their patent.

SanyBelle · 12-18-2006, 09:24 PM

I did hear that there was supposed to be a generic ambien in the US this fall, I guess it didn't happen. I'd like to see one too, ambien costs me $40 for 30 pills.

mkgbrook · 12-18-2006, 10:57 PM

FYI

There is a common twist to renew patents. Some companies have learned to tweek the formula by changing inert ingrediants so that the name remains the same but the formual is different. Depending on the change, new testing is not needed and the patent can be extended. I hate this cheese.

The other trick is to discontinue the drug, before the patent is released.. putting the drug in limbo and unable to go into generics.. then resubmit a slightly altered varient. Many acid reflux meds have been treated in this manner. One would think that they don't get enough in the normal 10 year priority period.

Just felt the need to gripe a bit.

MG