When Will Generic Propecia Be Available?

I have been on finastaride for 3 years and have been taking 1/4 of a Proscar tablet daily. Do you know when generic Proscar will be available in the US? I know there are some overseas, but I don’t want to take the risk.

My Merck representative says Propecia (1mg of finasteride) goes off patent in 2011, but the generic Proscar (5mg of finasteride) goes off patent later this year. Many people will buy this generic finasteride and break the pill in quarters. Incidentally, I don’t trust the overseas drugs either, for there are too many cases of forged goods. This means it is a risk for you to take (and possibly lose your hair) for the short term gain of a few bucks.

Lastly, I’ve received a couple of emails in the past about this, and I would like to point out to new readers by stating unequivocally that although I am a big fan of Propecia, I am not employed or paid by Merck, nor do I own stock in the company (see here and here).