An Overview of Generic Accolate
Accolate is manufactured by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Accolate from being manufactured in the United States.
When Will Generic Accolate Be Available?
The first patent for Accolate currently expires in September 2010. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Accolate could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of Accolate beyond 2010. These circumstances could include things such as other patents for specific
Accolate uses or lawsuits. Once Accolate goes off patent, there may be several companies that will begin manufacturing a generic Accolate product.
Is Zafirlukast a Generic Accolate?
The answer is no. Zafirlukast is the active ingredient in Accolate but is not a generic version of the medication. What can be confusing is that, oftentimes, the active ingredient of any drug is referred to as its "generic name." The generic name of a drug is different from a generic version of it. 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 have made the product.