pmdd

[brewer]

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 assume for the sake of argument that all if that is true.  In that case, extending 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).

Have the same MOA, different bioavailability.

You got it. It's a ploy the companies use to make money from the prescribers that can't be bothered to think. Look at Wellbutrin SR and Zyban. Also happened with the proton pump inhibitors for GERD treatment.