The Food and Drug Administration has given the go ahead to seven companies to begin producing Plavix in generic form. As someone who has to shell out over $100 for about 10 pills to quarter and force an unwilling, yet sick cat, to take, I am pretty darn excited about this whole situation.

We reported more than a year ago about some drug companies pushing up the prices on their meds, because certain medications’ patents were ending. That end has come for Plavix, which is sure to be a relief for those on the popular drug, says the Associated Press.

Plavix, currently marketed jointly by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and Sanofi SA, is taken by millions of people (and some pets!) everyday to prevent heart attacks and strokes, by preventing platelets in the blood from clumping together. Four of the seven companies will be able sell the drug in its 300-milligram dose, given to those who have just had a heart attack. It usually costs users about $200 per month.

Plavix’s makers don’t want to lose customers in what had been a nearly $9 billion a year business for both companies, however, so Bristol-Myers and Sanofi are offering patients a 30-day supply for no more than $37 if they pay with cash, by signing up for a Plavix Choice Card program. No word on whether cats can sign up as well.

Generic versions of Plavix should be available in pharmacies starting immediately.

Previously: Drug Companies Pushing Up Prices In Patent-Ending Panic

FDA OKs multiple companies to sell generic Plavix [Associated Press]

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