AIUI, because they let the patent expire, the drug was not subject to price regulation by the government. So they could charge whatever.
And during most of that time, they were still protected by 'data exclusivity' which means that any generic producer could not get approved without doing their own clinical trials, until 8 years had passed.
So they gave up some period of exclusivity in return for being able to charge a higher price when they still had a monopoly.
And during most of that time, they were still protected by 'data exclusivity' which means that any generic producer could not get approved without doing their own clinical trials, until 8 years had passed.
So they gave up some period of exclusivity in return for being able to charge a higher price when they still had a monopoly.