by 
The Curious Bag
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Plavix is the brand name for the blood-thinning medication Clopidogrel. A generic version of Clopidogrel became available briefly in 2006 but was pulled from the market amid a patent-infringement lawsuit.
Use
Clopidogrel reduces the blood's ability to clot. It is prescribed to people at high risk of a heart attack or stroke, particularly those who have already suffered one.
Maker
Plavix is sold by a partnership between U.S. drugmaker Bristol-Myers Squibb and the French firm Sanofi Aventis.
Generic
In 2006, the Canadian drugmaker Apotex introduced a generic version of Clopidogrel, which it said was chemically distinct enough that it didn't violate the patent on Plavix. Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi Aventis sued.
Disposition
The generic was removed from the market pending resolution of the lawsuit. A judge ruled in 2008 that the generic violated the Plavix patent, which remains in effect until November 2011.
Warning
Be wary of online pharmacies claiming to sell generic Plavix. No such drug exists.
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