There are currently no generic Relenza (zanamivir) products available on the market. The first patent for the medication expires in July 2013, which means that other drug companies may begin manufacturing a generic version at that time. Although some companies may claim to currently sell generic Relenza, these medications could be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous.
Generic Relenza: An Overview
Relenza is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Relenza from being manufactured in the United States. However, if you search the Internet for "generic Relenza," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines could be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. Generic Relenza may be available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine Relenza or not. Therefore, you should not buy any generic Relenza until there is an approved version available.
When Will Generic Relenza Be Available?
The first patent for Relenza currently expires in July 2013. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of the drug could become available. However, other circumstances could come up to extend the exclusivity period beyond 2013. This could include things such as other patents for specific
Relenza uses or lawsuits. Once the drug goes off-patent, several companies will likely begin manufacturing a generic Relenza drug.
Is Zanamivir a Generic Relenza?
No -- zanamivir is the active ingredient in Relenza, but it is not a generic version of it. 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 another company besides the original manufacturer must make the product.
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