E-drug: valaciclovir and aciclovir (2)
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1. Is aciclovir still on patent, and if so, when does it expire? Is it
already being manufactured by other companies besides Glaxo? Where can I
get international pricing information?2. When will the patent for valaciclovir expire?
Patents are granted nationally. There is no such thing as an
international patent. So the answer depends in which country you want
to buy or import the product.
There are several ways to find out the answer:
1. Contact the patent holder (Glaxo-Wellcome)
2. Contact the national patent office
3. Search Internet websites with patent information, e.g.
http://www.uspto.gov/
http://www.who.int/hlt/otherdata/English/patent.htm
http://www.european-patent-office.org/espacenet/info/access.htm
In the UK generic versions of aciclovir are available (BNF March 2000),
so one must assume that Glaxo's patent on aciclovir has expired.
Pricing information is available from: http://erc.msh.org/
Follow the lead to the International Price Indicator.
But not all new drugs are monitored by MSH yet. The 1999 guide only
lists acyclovir eye ointment.
You can also contact non-profit wholesalers of essential drugs, e.g.:
info@ida.nl
regards
Wilbert Bannenberg
Wilbert Bannenberg, E-DRUG moderator
Box 456, Irene 0062, South Africa
Tel work +27-12-3120374/5 Fax +27-12-3236745 Cellphone +27-82-5756249
Email bannew@hltrsa.pwv.gov.za (work)
Email WilbertBannenberg@compuserve.com (private)
Send E-DRUG messages to: e-drug@usa.healthnet.org
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