Brand-only drugs like Restasis, Eliquis and Lyrica can cost well over $500 for a month’s supply, and without cheaper generic alternatives, patients are often forced to either shell out their life savings or give up essential medications. FDA initiatives to expedite the drug review process and prohibit manufacturers from holding market exclusivity for too long will hopefully bring many generics to the market soon. In fact, more than 40 expensive brand drugs are expected to go generic in the next five years.
This push is purely driven by the cost savings that generics provide to consumers as they can cost up to 95% less than brand drugs. Brand-name medications are expensive because they are protected by a patent, giving one manufacturer market exclusivity, and the ability to price the brand drug as they see fit. When a patent expires, competitors are free to enter the market with their own versions of the brand—known as the generic.
This is the main reason generic drugs can be so affordable—as more manufacturers compete to sell their version of a generic drug, prices go down. Additionally, unlike brand manufacturers, generic manufacturers don’t have to shoulder expensive research and development costs or spend money on advertising, allowing them to price their drugs lower.
Here are some of the more popular brand-name drugs that are going generic in the next five years. Keep in mind that the listed anticipated release dates are tentative, and as manufacturers continue to push the limit to hold patent protection on their brand drugs, these dates could change.
Is your drug on the list?
Drugs Going Generic in 2018
| Brand | Generic | What is it for? | Anticipated release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cialis | tadalafil | erectile dysfunction | September, 2018 |
| Levitra | vardenafil | erectile dysfunction | October, 2018 |
| Finacea | azelaic acid | rosacea | November, 2018 |
| Fortesta | testosterone | low testosterone | November, 2018 |
| Symbicort | budesonide / formoterol | asthma & COPD | Mid to late 2018 |
Drugs Going Generic in 2019
| Brand | Generic | What is it for? | Anticipated release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latuda | lurasidone | schizophrenia & bipolar disorder | January, 2019 |
| Restasis | cyclosporine | dry eyes & eye inflammation | Early 2019 |
| Gilenya | fingolimod | multiple sclerosis | February, 2019 |
| Vesicare | solifenacin | overactive bladder | May, 2019 |
| Uloric | febuxostat | gout | June, 2019 |
| Lyrica | pregabalin | nerve pain | July, 2019 |
| Thalomid | thalidomide | multiple myeloma | August, 2019 |
| Zubsolv | buprenorphine / naloxone | drug dependence | September, 2019 |
| Osmoprep | sodium phosphate | colonoscopy prep | November, 2019 |
| Eliquis | apixiban | blood thinner | 2019 |
Drugs Going Generic in 2020
| Brand | Generic | What is it for? | Anticipated release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daliresp | roflumilast | COPD | January, 2020 |
| Noxafil | posaconazole | fungal & yeast infections | January, 2020 |
| Delzicol | mesalamine | ulcerative colitis | March, 2020 |
| Chantix | varenicline | smoking cessation | May, 2020 |
| Dexilant | dexlansoprazole | gastroesophageal reflux disease | June, 2020 |
| Desonate | desonide | eczema | August, 2020 |
| Absorica | isotretinoin | acne | December, 2020 |
| Saphris | asenapine | schizophrenia & bipolar disorder | December, 2020 |
Drugs Going Generic in 2021
| Brand | Generic | What is it for? | Anticipated release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amitiza | lubiprostone | constipation | January, 2021 |
| Sutent | sunitinib | kidney cancer | February, 2021 |
| Tarceva | erlotinib | lung & pancreatic cancer | May, 2021 |
| Perforomist | formoterol | asthma & COPD | June, 2021 |
| Brilinta | ticagrelor | heart attack & stroke | July 2021 |
| Selzentry | maraviroc | HIV | August, 2021 |
| Atripla | efavirenz / emtricitabine / tenofovir | HIV | September, 2021 |
| Bystolic | nebivolol | high blood pressure | September, 2021 |
| Truvada | emtricitabine / tenofovir | HIV | September, 2021 |
| Brovana | arformoterol | asthma & COPD | September, 2021 |
| Pradaxa | dabigatran | atrial fibrillation | September, 2021 |
Drugs Going Generic in 2022
| Brand | Generic | What is it for? | Anticipated release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revlimid | lenalidomide | multiple myeloma | March, 2022 |
| Vimpat | lacosamide | epilepsy | March, 2022 |
| Zipsor | diclofenac | pain & swelling | March, 2022 |
| Viibryd | vilazodone | depression | June, 2022 |
| Janumet | sitagliptin / metformin | type 2 diabetes | July, 2022 |
| Janumet XR | sitagliptin / metformin ER | type 2 diabetes | July, 2022 |
| Januvia | sitagliptin | type 2 diabetes | July, 2022 |
| Toviaz | fesoterodine ER | overactive bladder | July, 2022 |
| Epiduo Forte | adapalene 0.3% / benzoyl peroxide 2.5% | acne | December, 2022 |
Why trust our experts?
