Don’t patents generally expire, and new formulations rise?
All the time. And companies don’t wait for existing patents to expire before inventing new drugs. The industry always has a constant renewal process underway. They cannibalize their own product lines all the time.
I take Eliquis for pulmonary embolism that occurred in July 2024 (provoked by Round 3 of COVID). It is FAR superior to the old Coumadin blood thinner where you had to get your blood checked frequently and dosage adjusted. Eliquis does not require that.
The progress in blood pressure medications is amazing. There are many with different modes of action and they often work synergistically as a “cocktail” where you can take several at lower doses for improved response.