Which of the following is a feature of patent exclusivity?

Patent exclusivity grants the patent holder the sole right to manufacture, market, and sell the patented drug for a specified period, typically 20 years from the date of filing. This exclusivity is designed to encourage innovation by allowing companies to recoup their development costs without the immediate threat of competition. During the exclusivity period, no other company can legally produce or sell a generic version of the drug, thus effectively preventing competition for that patented drug. This protective mechanism supports the financial viability of research and development in the pharmaceutical industry.

While the other options mention aspects that may be influenced by patent exclusivity, they do not accurately capture its primary function. For example, allowing other companies to market generic versions immediately would contradict the essence of patent protection. Similarly, while patent exclusivity does enable companies to control market pricing to some extent, this is a consequence of exclusivity rather than a defining feature. Limiting production to one manufacturer reflects the monopoly created by the patent, but it is the prevention of competition that fundamentally underscores patent exclusivity.