Brand/generic classification system

1 . A method for categorizing a medical or a pharmaceutical product comprising the steps of:

(a) determining an originator indicator for the product;

(b) determining a patent status indicator for the product;

(c) determining a source indicator for the product;

(d) determining a tradename indicator for the product; and

(e) categorizing the product as a branded product or a generic product, using said originator indicator, said patent status indicator, said source indicator, and said tradename indicator determined in steps (a)-(d).

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein step (e) comprises categorizing the product as a product selected from the group consisting of a branded product, a generic product, and an other product, using said originator indicator, said patent status indicator, said source indicator, and said tradename indicator determined in steps (a)-(d).

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein step (e) comprises categorizing a product as a product selected from the group consisting of a branded product, a generic product, a branded generic product, and an other product, using said originator indicator, said patent status indicator, said source indicator, and said tradename indicator determined in steps (a)-(d).

4 . The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the originator indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of originator, non-originator, and other;

wherein the patent status indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of on-patent, off-patent, and other;

wherein the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single source, multiple source, co-licensed, and other; and

wherein the tradename indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of tradename, non-tradename, and other.

5 . The method of claim 2 ,

wherein the originator indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of originator, non-originator, and other;

wherein the patent status indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of on-patent, off-patent, and other;

wherein the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single source, multiple source, co-licensed, and other; and

wherein the tradename indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of tradename, non-tradename, and other.

6 . The method of claim 3 ,

wherein the originator indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of originator, non-originator, and other;

wherein the patent status indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of on-patent, off-patent, and other;

wherein the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single source, multiple source, co-licensed, and other; and

wherein the tradename indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of tradename, non-tradename, and other.

7 . The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the originator indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of originator, non-originator, non-applicable over the counter, other non-applicable, unknown, and other;

wherein the patent status indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of on-patent, off-patent, over the counter, and other;

wherein the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single source, multiple source, co-licensed, over the counter, and other; and

wherein the tradename indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of tradename, non-tradename, over the counter, and other.

8 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the product is categorized as a branded product, if

(i) the originator indicator classifies the product as originator,

(ii) the patent status indicator classifies the product as on-patent or off-patent;

(iii) the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single-source, multi-source, and co-licensed; and

(iv) the tradename indicator classifies the product as tradename or non-tradename.

9 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the product is categorized as a branded product, if

(i) the originator indicator classifies the product as non-originator;

(ii) the patent status indicator classifies the product as on-patent;

(iii) the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single-source, multi-source, and co-licensed; and

(iv) the tradename indicator classifies the product as tradename or non-tradename.

10 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the product is categorized as a generic product, if

(i) the originator indicator classifies the product as non-originator;

(ii) the patent status indicator classifies the product as off-patent;

(iii) the source indicator classifies the product as multi-source; and

(iv) the tradename indicator classifies the product as non-tradename.

11 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the product is categorized as an other product, if

the originator indicator classifies the product as non-applicable over the counter, other non-applicable, unknown, other, or a non-existing category.

12 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the product is categorized as an other product, if

the patent status indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of over the counter, other, and a non-existing category.

13 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the product is categorized as an other product, if

the source indicator classifies the product as over the counter, other, or a non-existing category.

14 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the product is categorized as an other product, if

the tradename indicator classifies the product as over the counter, other, or a non-existing category.

15 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the product is categorized as a branded generic product, if

(i) the originator indicator classifies the product as non-originator;

(ii) the patent status indicator classifies the product as off-patent;

(iii) the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single-source, multi-source, and co-licensed; and

(iv) the tradename indicator classifies the product as tradename.

16 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the product is categorized as a branded generic product,

if the originator indicator classifies the product as non-originator;

if the patent status indicator classifies the product as off-patent;

if the source indicator classifies the product as single-source or co-licensed; and

if the tradename indicator classifies the product as non-tradename.

17 . A system for categorizing a medical or a pharmaceutical product comprising:

(a) an input device for inputting product information;

(b) a processor coupled to the input device, using said product information, for

(i) determining a patent originator indicator for the product;

(ii) determining a patent status indicator for the product;

(iii) determining a source indicator for the product;

(iv) determining a tradename indicator for the product; and

(v) categorizing the product as a branded product or a generic product using said originator indicator, said patent status indicator, said source indicator, and said tradename indicator determined in steps (i)-(iv); and

(c) a storage device coupled to the processor for storing the originator indicator, the patent status indicator, the source indicator, and the tradename indicator for the product.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein step (v) comprises categorizing the product as a product selected from the group consisting of a branded product, a generic product, and an other product, using said originator indicator, said patent status indicator, said source indicator, and said tradename indicator determined in steps (i)-(iv).

19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein step (v) comprises categorizing a product as a product selected from the group consisting of a branded product, a generic product, a branded generic product, and an other product, using said originator indicator, said patent status indicator, said source indicator, and said tradename indicator determined in steps (i)-(iv).

20 . The system of claim 17 ,

wherein the originator indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of originator, non-originator, and other;

wherein the patent status indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of on-patent, off-patent, and other;

wherein the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single source, multiple source, co-licensed, and other; and

wherein the tradename indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of tradename, non-tradename, and other.

21 . The system of claim 18 ,

wherein the originator indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of originator, non-originator, and other,

wherein the patent status indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of on-patent, off-patent, and other;

wherein the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single source, multiple source, co-licensed, and other; and

wherein the tradename indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of tradename, non-tradename, and other.

22 . The system of claim 19 ,

wherein the originator indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of originator, non-originator, and other;

wherein the patent status indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of on-patent, off-patent, and other;

wherein the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single source, multiple source, co-licensed, and other; and

wherein the tradename indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of tradename, non-tradename, and other.

23 . The system of claim 17 ,

wherein the originator indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of originator, non-originator, non-applicable over the counter, other non-applicable, unknown, and other;

wherein the patent status indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of on-patent, off-patent, over the counter, and other;

wherein the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single source, multiple source, co-licensed, over the counter, and other; and

wherein the tradename indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of tradename, non-tradename, over the counter, and other.

24 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the processor categorizes the product as a branded product, if

(i) the originator indicator classifies the product as originator;

(ii) the patent status indicator classifies the product as on-patent or off-patent;

(iii) the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single-source, multi-source, and co-licensed; and

(iv) the tradename indicator classifies the product as tradename or non-tradename.

25 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the processor categorizes the product as a branded product, if

(i) the originator indicator classifies the product as non-originator;

(ii) the patent status indicator classifies the product as on-patent;

(iii) the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single-source, multi-source, and co-licensed; and

(iv) the tradename indicator classifies the product as tradename or non-tradename.

26 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the processor categorizes the product as a generic product, if

(i) the originator indicator classifies the product as non-originator;

(ii) the patent status indicator classifies the product as off-patent;

(iii) the source indicator classifies the product as multi-source; and

(iv) the tradename indicator classifies the product as non-tradename.

27 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the processor categorizes the product as an other product, if

the originator indicator classifies the product as non-applicable over the counter, other non-applicable, unknown, other, or a non-existing category.

28 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the processor categorizes the product as an other product, if

the patent status indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of over the counter, other, and a non-existing category.

29 . The system of claim 21 , the processor categorizes the product as an other product, if

the source indicator classifies the product as over the counter, other, or a non-existing category.

30 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the processor categorizes the product as an other product, if

the tradename indicator classifies the product as over the counter, other, or a non-existing category.

31 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the processor categorizes the product as a branded generic product, if

(i) the originator indicator classifies the product as non-originator;

(ii) the patent status indicator classifies the product as off-patent;

(iii) the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single-source, multi-source, and co-licensed; and

(iv) the tradename indicator classifies the product as tradename.

32 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the processor categorizes the product as a branded generic product,

if the originator indicator classifies the product as non-originator;

if the patent status indicator classifies the product as off-patent;

if the source indicator classifies the product as single-source or co-licensed; and

if the tradename indicator classifies the product as non-tradename.

33 . A computer-readable medium for categorizing a medical or a pharmaceutical product, the computer-readable medium having a set of instructions operable to direct a processor to perform the steps of:

(a) determining an originator indicator for the product;

(b) determining a patent status indicator for the product;

(c) determining a source indicator for the product;

(d) determining a tradename indicator for the product; and

(e) categorizing the product as a branded product or a generic product, using said originator indicator, said patent status indicator, said source indicator, and said tradename indicator determined in steps (a)-(d).

34 . The computer-readable according to claim 33 , wherein step (e) comprises categorizing the product as a product selected from the group consisting of a branded product, a generic product, and an other product, using said originator indicator, said patent status indicator, said source indicator, and said tradename indicator determined in steps (a)-(d).

35 . The computer-readable according to claim 33 , wherein step (e) comprises categorizing a product as a product selected from the group consisting of a branded product, a generic product, a branded generic product, and an other product, using said originator indicator, said patent status indicator, said source indicator, and said tradename indicator determined in steps (a)-(d).

36 . The computer-readable according to claim 33 ,

wherein the originator indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of originator, non-originator, and other;

wherein the patent status indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of on-patent, off-patent, and other;

wherein the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single source, multiple source, co-licensed, and other; and

wherein the tradename indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of tradename, non-tradename, and other.

37 . The computer-readable according to claim 34 ,

wherein the originator indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of originator, non-originator, and other;

wherein the patent status indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of on-patent, off-patent, and other;

wherein the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single source, multiple source, co-licensed, and other; and

wherein the tradename indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of tradename, non-tradename, and other.

38 . The computer-readable according to claim 35 ,

wherein the originator indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of originator, non-originator, and other;

wherein the patent status indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of on-patent, off-patent, and other;

wherein the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single source, multiple source, co-licensed, and other; and

wherein the tradename indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of tradename, non-tradename, and other.

39 . The computer-readable according to claim 33 ,

wherein the originator indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of originator, non-originator, non-applicable over the counter, other non-applicable, unknown, and other;

wherein the patent status indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of on-patent, off-patent, over the counter, and other;

wherein the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single source, multiple source, co-licensed, over the counter, and other; and

wherein the tradename indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of tradename, non-tradename, over the counter, and other.

40 . The computer-readable according to claim 36 , wherein the computer-readable medium is operable to direct the processor to categorize a product as a branded product, if

(i) the originator indicator classifies the product as originator;

(ii) the patent status indicator classifies the product as on-patent or off-patent;

(iii) the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single-source, multi-source, and co-licensed; and

(iv) the tradename indicator classifies the product as tradename or non-tradename.

41 . The computer-readable according to claim 36 , wherein the computer-readable medium is operable to direct the processor to categorize a product as a branded product, if

(i) the originator indicator classifies the product as non-originator;

(ii) the patent status indicator classifies the product as on-patent;

(iii) the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single-source, multi-source, and co-licensed; and

(iv) the tradename indicator classifies the product as tradename or non-tradename.

42 . The computer-readable according to claim 36 , wherein the computer-readable medium is operable to direct the processor to categorize a product as a generic product, if

(i) the originator indicator classifies the product as non-originator;

(ii) the patent status indicator classifies the product as off-patent;

(iii) the source indicator classifies the product as multi-source; and

(iv) the tradename indicator classifies the product as non-tradename.

43 . The computer-readable according to claim 37 , wherein the computer-readable medium is operable to direct the processor to categorize a product as an other product, if

the originator indicator classifies the product as non-applicable over the counter, other non-applicable, unknown, other, or a non-existing category.

44 . The computer-readable according to claim 37 , wherein the computer-readable medium is operable to direct the processor to categorize a product as an other product, if

the patent status indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of over the counter, other, and a non-existing category.

45 . The computer-readable according to claim 37 , wherein the computer-readable medium is operable to direct the processor to categorize a product as an other product, if

the source indicator classifies the product as over the counter, other, or a non-existing category.

46 . The computer-readable according to claim 37 , wherein the computer-readable medium is operable to direct the processor to categorize a product as an other product, if

the tradename indicator classifies the product as over the counter, other, or a non-existing category.

47 . The computer-readable according to claim 38 , wherein the computer-readable medium is operable to direct the processor to categorize a product as a branded generic product, if

(i) the originator indicator classifies the product as non-originator;

(ii) the patent status indicator classifies the product as off-patent;

(iii) the source indicator classifies the product as a product selected from the group consisting of single-source, multi-source, and co-licensed; and

(iv) the tradename indicator classifies the product as tradename.

48 . The computer-readable according to claim 38 , wherein the computer-readable medium is operable to direct the processor to categorize a product as a branded generic product,

if the originator indicator classifies the product as non-originator;

if the patent status indicator classifies the product as off-patent;

if the source indicator classifies the product as single-source or co-licensed; and

if the tradename indicator classifies the product as non-tradename.