Approvals and Timing of New Formulations of Novel Drugs Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration between 1995 and 2010 and Followed Through 2021

Abstract

Importance: New formulations of prescription drugs can improve convenience and tolerability for patients, but they also constitute manufacturer strategies to extend brand-name drug market exclusivity periods. Objective: To examine whether new formulations of brand-name novel drugs were associated with novel drugs' sales and/or therapeutic value, as well as characterize first new formulations' approval timing relative to the novel drug's generic approval. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used the Drugs@FDA database to identify all novel tablet and capsule drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 1995 and 2010 and followed through December 31, 2021. Exposures: Novel drugs' blockbuster status, defined as annual sales of $1 billion or greater, and therapeutic value, measured by (1) accelerated approval status, (2) World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines inclusion, (3) innovativeness, and (4) clinical usefulness. Main Outcomes and Measures: Approval of a new formulation and timing relative to a novel drug's first generic's approval. Results: Among the 206 novel drugs in tablet or capsule form approved by the FDA from 1995 to 2010, 81 (39.3%) were followed by an FDA-approved new formulation, and 167 (81.1%) had a generic version as of December 31, 2021. In multivariable analyses, new formulations were statistically significantly more likely among blockbuster drugs vs not (58.2% vs 27.6%; adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.72; 95% CI, 2.26-9.87; P