Generic Entocort: An Overview
Entocort EC is made by Prometheus Laboratories, Inc. Entocort EC is currently under the protection of patents that prevent any generic Entocort EC from being manufactured in the United States.
When Will Generic Entocort Be Available?
The first patent for Entocort EC currently expires in May 2011. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Entocort EC could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of Entocort EC beyond 2011. This could include things such as other patents for specific Entocort EC uses or lawsuits. Once Entocort EC goes off patent, there may be several companies that manufacture a generic Entocort EC drug.
Is Budesonide a Generic Entocort?
No --
budesonide is the active ingredient in Entocort EC (as well as several other medications), but it is not a generic version of Entocort EC. What can be confusing is that, oftentimes, the active ingredient of a drug is referred to as the "generic name." The generic name is different from a generic version of a medicine. In order for there to be a generic version of a medicine, the original medicine must have gone off patent, and then another company (besides the original manufacturer) would make the product.