Generic Drugs: When Will Generic Neulasta Be Available in the U.S.?

At almost $4,000 a pop, it’s probably no surprise that we get lots of questions about generic Neulasta. If you are a cancer patient underdoing chemotherapy, Neulasta is one of the most commonly-prescribed treatments to prevent infection, but unfortunately, it’s also one of the most pricey, so we get questions all the time about What’s going on with generic Neulasta?  When is generic Neulasta going to be available?  And is generic Neulasta ever going to come out?

And unfortunately, if you’re looking for a cheaper, more affordable substitute for Neulasta like a generic, there’s not a whole lot of good news. Neulasta is a “biologic” which isn’t subject to the same laws and rules as traditional prescription drugs for generics. Because of the way that biologics like Neulasta are made, it’s really unlikely that there will be a generic version of Neulasta anytime in the near future, if ever.  For years, the most profitable drugs—mostly pills made of chemicals—have been fairly easy for generics companies to copy, requiring a straightforward chemical synthesis. But the next wave includes more-complicated inhaled drugs like Advair and others made of complex biological ingredients like Neulasta. Replicating them will require skills that many generics makers don’t yet have.

Even if technology improves and the laws regarding biologics change, Neulasta is protected by a fistful of patents, so the chances of a generic version of Neulasta in the near future are pretty dim. Last year, Amgen which makes Neulasta was able to get the patent for another of its biologic drugs, Enbrel, extended for another 16 years. Yes, that means that it is going to be at least another 16 years before it’s even possible for Enbrel to become available in the U.S. And we wouldn’t be surprised if Amgen tries to fight to keep the Neulasta patents as long as possible too, which would keep generic Neulasta off the market indefinitely.

Do you use Neulasta? Tell us about it in our prescription drug forum!

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1. Finding Cheaper, More Affordable Neulasta…. Somewhere
2. Generic Drugs: When Will Generic Enbrel Finally Be Available?
3. So Why Are Generic Prescription Drugs Cheaper Than Brand-Name Drugs?
4. Elvis the Cat: You Can Save Money With Generic Prescription Drugs For Your Pet, Too!
5. Are Generic Drugs Really As Good As Expensive Prescription Drugs?