pmdd

[Jackalope]

Umm, generic fluoextine (Prozac) has been available since 2001.

Sarafem is a different formulation (fluoextine hydrochloride).  Sarafem is not Prozac.

Might want to check again.

http://www.rxlist.com/prozac-drug.htm

http://www.rxlist.com/sarafem-drug.htm

Just because a pharmacological agent is a marketed as free base, a salt, ..... does not change the mechanism of action. Think bioavailability (primarily dissolution and absorption).

Ok, let's asaume for the sake of argument that all if that is true. In that case, extendimg the patent may have been improper - but it in no way affected the availability of generic fluoextine. If as you say, the free base and salts are pharmacologically the same, then a hearty "so what?" is in order (excepting potential mishandling by USPTO).