Just some wiki-info -
Purdue has multiple patents for OxyContin, but has been involved in a series of ongoing legal battles on the validity of these patents. On June 7, 2005, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a decision from the previous year that some of Purdue’s patents for OxyContin could not be enforced.[21] This decision allowed and led to the immediate announcement from Endo Pharmaceuticals that they would begin launching a generic version of all four strengths of OxyContin.[22] Purdue, however, had already made negotiations with another pharmaceutical company (IVAX Pharmaceuticals) to distribute their brand OxyContin in a generic form.[22] This contract was severed, and as of October 2005 Watson Pharmaceuticals became the exclusive U.S. distributor of Purdue-manufactured generic versions of OxyContin tablets in 10-, 20-, 40-, and 80-milligram dosages.[23]
On February 1, 2006, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision revising its June 7, 2005, decision.[24] This time the court vacated the lower court's "judgment that the patents-in-suit are unenforceable due to inequitable conduct," and the case was "remanded for further proceedings."[24]
Purdue Pharma has since announced resolution of its infringement suits with Endo,[25] Teva,[26] IMPAX,[27] and Mallinckrodt.[28] Endo and Teva each agreed to cease selling generic forms of OxyContin.[25][26] IMPAX negotiated a temporary, and potentially renewable, license.[27] In 2008, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals reintroduced generic OxyContin in the strengths of 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg, which was made possible by a temporary royalties-bearing license with Purdue Pharma that expired in 2009.[28]
I personally haven't seen a generic OC in years either.
