In 2006, there were 29 new active substances. I assume that they were patented or something of the sort. But of those 29 new substances, only four were significant innovations over existing medications. They can be put in the category of discoveries providing somewhat significant advances. But the 21 new substances in category three mean that the medications are the same, with only small or minor advantages over existing ones.
Does that prevent a generic drug being produced? If a new patent is applied for, are we dealing with a "new product" that actually is not new? Maybe we are only talking about one improvement, but if another 20-year patent applies to the product, it means that we still have the same products and that only 2% goes to the research and development of new products. The rest goes to improving old products, but they cannot be copied and sold more cheaply.
Is that why generic products only represent 50% of prescriptions in Canada?