When does a name brand drug become available as a generic?

Different times. Depends on how long it has been out, and who the manufacturer is. There are laws which require them to release it as a generic within a certain time frame, probably like 3-5 years, but a lot of the pharmacutical companies are re-releasing them with letters on them like EC for extra strength...which just allows their BRAND time to be extended.

You should look up rx.com or precisionrx.com...good sites for rx info. it says there is a generic vor zyrtec--called cetirizine...not sure if it is available yet, but you could always ask your pharmacist

8. Does every brand-name drug have a generic counterpart?

No. Brand-name drugs are generally given patent protection for 20 years from the date of submission of the patent. This provides protection for the innovator who laid out the initial costs (including research, development, and marketing expenses) to develop the new drug. However, when the patent expires, other drug companies can introduce competitive generic versions, but only after they have been thoroughly tested by the manufacturer and approved by the FDA

Drug manufacturers have a patent on that drug for a specific period of time, during which time generic drugs can't be produced. This is done to give some incentive to drug companies to put the money into R&D to develop new products. Unfortunately, it's also why prices are out of control.

name brand drugs become available when the patent expires. According to this http://www.patentauthority.com/ zyrtec's patent expires in 2009.

Go to http://www.ask.com/web?o=333&qsrc=19&l=dir&q=zyrte...

It depends upon when the patent was filed. Once the patent expires, it is then available for other drug makers to produce generic versions.

it depends if a store has other generic brands .. then they will concider.. zyrtec has to approve other generic brands first.. thats why you dont see it yet on the shelves ..

I think 17 years until the patient office can release the formula to other producers thus being able to steal their ideas, this doesn't happen to Coke or Pepsi.

THat's just FYI if I was the medicine maker I would cut R&D by 90% there is just no way to get your money back for inventing the drugs anymore.

When the patent expires (17 years?), another company can come along and make a knock-off (generic). They will only do so however if they think it is profitable.

When it is FDA approved