Why is Generic Zyprexa available in Canada and not the U.S?
On July 3rd 2007, distribution began in Canada of a generic version of Zyprexa. Olanzapine, the generic name for Zyprexa is used primarily in the treatment of schizophrenia, manic depression and bi polar disorder. The availability of Olanzapine in Canada is the result of a ruling on June 5th 2007 by The Honorable Justice Mr. Robert T. Hughes in Canadian Federal Court. From May 14th to May 23rd 2007 in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada’s capital city), Eli Lilly Canada Inc. appeared in court attempting to stop Novopharm Limited, one of Canada’s largest generic pharmaceutical manufacturing companies from making Olanzapine. Eli Lilly, the patent holder for Zyprexa in Canada, also asked the court that The Minister of Health for Canada not be allowed to issue a “Notice of Compliance” to Novopharm. A Notice of Compliance is required by all drug companies in Canada for each new product, before they can begin manufacturing and distribution it. In his decision, Judge Hughes said that Eli Lilly had “not d
