The Initiative for Medicines, Access, and Knowledge (I-MAK) published a data brief revealing how pharmaceutical companies exploit patent extensions to delay generic competition and inflate drug prices for blockbuster medications.
Eliquis received a four-year Patent Term Extension moving expiration to 2026, with follow-on patents delaying generic entry until 2028, generating an expected $50.7 billion in additional U.S. sales.
Novo Nordisk filed over 320 patent applications for semaglutide, extending market exclusivity for Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy through 2042, projected to generate $166 billion in additional revenue between 2026-2031.
U.S. patients pay dramatically more than international counterparts, with Eliquis costing $521 monthly versus $84-109 in other countries, while Ozempic costs $936 versus $69-169 internationally.