Indian govt urges for more generics as Pfizer's cancer drug comes off patent

The expiration of the patent for palbociclib, a leading anti-breast cancer drug, in India has opened up new opportunities for generic versions of the drug. The Indian government highlighted this development in Parliament and intensely discussed the endless possibilities that could arise from the availability of generic palbociclib and other similar generic oncology drugs, reports The Pharma Letter’s India correspondent.

As Pfizer’s (NYSE: PFE) Indian patent on Ibrance (palbociclib) expired on January 10 this year, 16 pharmaceutical companies in India have stepped up to the plate and are currently either producing generic versions of the drug or are in the process of manufacturing it. The drug is protected by patent in the USA until March 5, 2027.

Generic versions of palbociclib now available in the Indian market have cut the cost of the drug by over 90%, to around $46.22 per month, from over $973.20 per month with the branded drug.