i think we both are arguing the same point but from different pov, yes there is dpco and subsidiaries exist for this exact reason, the trick is doctors don't directly stock, instead are mediated by the 'nearest' pharmacy, where they carry all brands so they aren't breaking laws, but companies use their expensive subsidiaries, the real profit is not in the drugs that directly treat, but in schedule H analgesics and antipyretics that doctors pad the prescriptions with. Schedule H formulation are quite flexible and companies use this loop hole to push expensive schedule H generic alternatives which if you read carefully are almost similar and could be easily replaceable by dolo or brufein (has a doctor in our family hence i know this) most of the profit is from these than the main drugs that treat whatever condition. Even some doctors don't like this but it's not that big of a deal and helps pay the bills, so they go along.