Not to be picky but the term is "off label" not "off patent".
You probably had it correct in your head but didn't make it onto to the page.
Seems to happen to me more and more every day.
Actually no. A drug that's patented has a specific length of time where it can only be marketed by the patent holder. I think it's 17 years. After that generics can be made by others which reduces the profits dramatically. So, the originator of the drug has a window of time to recoup their investment into research and testing after which its contents can be copied, manufactured and distributed under it's generic name. Off label refers to drugs made for one purpose but can be used for another. Ivermectin was originally made to combat parasitic illnesses but it was also found to have anti-viral properties that could successfully treat Covid off label.
Not to be picky but the term is "off label" not "off patent". You probably had it correct in your head but didn't make it onto to the page. Seems to happen to me more and more every day.
Actually no. A drug that's patented has a specific length of time where it can only be marketed by the patent holder. I think it's 17 years. After that generics can be made by others which reduces the profits dramatically. So, the originator of the drug has a window of time to recoup their investment into research and testing after which its contents can be copied, manufactured and distributed under it's generic name. Off label refers to drugs made for one purpose but can be used for another. Ivermectin was originally made to combat parasitic illnesses but it was also found to have anti-viral properties that could successfully treat Covid off label.
I think I must of misunderstood you in the first place. My bad.