9 replies to this topic

[scuba]

An Indian company, Sun Pharmaceuticals, was granted U.S. permission to sell generic Imatinib.

Ant the site below indicates one can buy Imatinib for a fraction of what Novartis' Gleevec costs.

http://www.genericsm...late-p-723.html

Anyone know the 'real' story.  Gleevec is under patent protection for a long time to come.

?

[PhilB]

Gleevec patent runs out 2015.  Sun have just got all their ducks in a row for when that happens.

[scuba]

... just 5 more years?  Interesting.  According to IP reports, the basic patent expires in the U.S. in 2013 and in EU countries in March, 2016.

I wonder what the cost would be when the patent expires?

[CMLMN]

Gleevec patent in US expires in 2015; it was originally 2013 but got extended.

[PhilB]

The generic currently retails at around US$300 per month for 400mg inthose countries you can get it.

Don't know how the rules work in the US, but presumably once off patent there will be no restriction on importing from overseas so that should be your price.

Phil

[bhiser]

I have the same situation that you do...no longer eligible for the Novartis program. On medicare, my out of pocket share is 33%, meaning MY SHARE would be around $1200 PER MONTH.  I can't do that, so have been forced to go to a Canadian website, getting the generic imatinib from India. I paid around $800 for a 3-month supply.  I don't begin it for another month, so I will get frequent lab work to be sure I am getting a good response. But this might be an option for you.  Feel free to email me for the website.  I have been very impressed with their professionalism, customer service, and follow up.  Good luck.

[Rissa]

Here's something from the CML society of Canada concerning generic gleevec. 

http://www.cmlsociety.org/?q=node/212

[Trey]

There is some bad info in that CML Society of Canada link.  The original Gleevec patent was extended to January 2015, and likely applies in Canada as well.  The sublingual Gleevec reference is bogus and a scam. 

Bhiser: It is not legal for Canadian companies to import generic Gleevec into Canada, and secondly not legal for U.S. citizens to import it into the U.S.  Under those conditions, the liklihood of being scammed increases significantly.  Just sayin' 

[Rissa]

I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to post bad information.  It looked promising. 

[bhiser]

Trey, I understand that totally and have no other options.  I have received my delivery earlier than the stated time frame and so far it has all been a very smooth, professional process. Although it was manufactured in India and I purchased it from Canada, it was shipped from Singapore.  I run the risk it will be stopped at customs and if that happens, the company will replace it.  No one I know can pay $1200 monthly for Gleevec!  Stupid policies that are developed only with the profit motive in mind, make lawful citizens like myself do desperate things.  It's that or die.