Cheaper pills? 7 top-selling drugs set to go generic

Relief may be in sight for people having trouble paying for costly prescription drugs. Several top-selling drugs are set to lose patent protection over the next year. "My estimation is at least 15 percent of the population is currently using one of the drugs whose patents will expire in 2011 or 2012," Joel Owerbach, chief pharmacy officer for New York's Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, told the Associated Press.

Generic drugs cost 20 to 80 percent less than brand name equivalents, and can cost as little as $5 on some insurance plans.

Keep clicking to see 7 top-selling drugs set to expire, as listed by pharmacy benefits company Medco...

Credit: AP