The point when a drug's patents expire and lower-cost generics can enter the market, usually causing prices to fall sharply. The newer GLP-1s are years away from this — their patents extend well into the 2030s — which is why no true generic semaglutide or tirzepatide exists yet and prices remain high. Understanding the patent timeline explains why "cheap" versions today are compounded, not generic.
Related terms: Generic drug · Branded drug · Compounded medication