I thought the patent-holder got exclusivity for 20 years, and then it was public domain. Why do we need a 2nd tier of exclusivity?
If all the generic manufacturers could rush in all at once, the price of the generic would falls to pretty much the cost of production quite quickly.
As a generic manufacturer, are you willing to spend $10M if you aren't sure you'll recoup it? Maybe.
But if you know for certain you'll be the only supplier for 6 months, then you have more certainty to make the investment.
I feel like people use that argument in other contexts but it would apply here too.
I thought the patent-holder got exclusivity for 20 years, and then it was public domain. Why do we need a 2nd tier of exclusivity?