[MAGZine]

(not OP). some quick googling reveals lantus is no longer covered by patents. patents in the usa last 20y, and they filed the main patent for that drug in 1994.

it looks like they tried to patent some pen injection mechanism as a way to artificially extend the patent, but the patents were tossed out. I think that's a similar approach to how the Epi-pen people have maintained control, except their pursuit was successful (epinephrine isn't exactly a new chemical, nor is the process for manufacture).

still--manufacture of these drugs is long and expensive process, esp with fda approval. new entrants want to recoup their cost. the public is a great institution to develop generics because it can happily do so without a profit motive.