What tactic is described as adding an extra chemical and changing the name to maintain profits after a patent expires?

What tactic is described as adding an extra chemical and changing the name to maintain profits after a patent expires?

• A. Added an extra chemical and changed the name
• B. Reduced dosage
• C. Lowered price
• D. Stopped production

Answer: (A)

This describes a strategy to extend a drug’s market protection after the original patent ends. By adding a new chemical component to the formulation and giving the product a new name, the company creates a variant that can be patented again and sold as a distinct brand. This keeps profits flowing by delaying generic competition—the essence of evergreening. The other options don’t fit this idea: lowering the dose doesn’t create a new, protectable product; lowering price invites price competition from generics; stopping production ends profits altogether.

This describes a strategy to extend a drug’s market protection after the original patent ends. By adding a new chemical component to the formulation and giving the product a new name, the company creates a variant that can be patented again and sold as a distinct brand. This keeps profits flowing by delaying generic competition—the essence of evergreening.

The other options don’t fit this idea: lowering the dose doesn’t create a new, protectable product; lowering price invites price competition from generics; stopping production ends profits altogether.