As Drugs near the End of Their Patent, Pharmaceutical Companies

As drugs near the end of their patent, pharmaceutical companies may apply for the drug to change to over-the-counter status in order to:

A) Get a new patent for the over-the-counter form of the drug
B) Lower the costs because most prescription benefit plans do not cover generics
C) Market the drug to a whole new population, as they are able to market to patients instead of just providers
D) Continue to make large profits from their blockbuster brand-name drug