Generic Actos: An Overview
Actos is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Actos from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Actos," you may find a number of companies selling it.
The fact is, these medicines may be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. There may be generic Actos available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine Actos or not. You should not buy any generic Actos until there is an approved generic available.
When Will Generic Actos Be Available?
The first patent for Actos expired in January 2011.
However, there is very good reason to believe that other Actos patents (which expire later) will provide protection against generic competition for this medication. Takeda Pharmaceuticals has settled several lawsuits about generic versions of Actos. In these settlements, various generic manufacturers will be allowed to start selling generic Actos starting August 17, 2012.