@fmichael:

The Soma product in 2007 was a NEW patent for a different dosing. The little company who has that patent, goes back several sales and mergers ago--so I would expect studies to have dates around that time. The original manufacturer was Wallace who also had Meprobamate (Miltown). The launch and thrust of the new Soma was to block generics and re-establish a brand name for the product and hence make more $$ for Meda.
This rather failed however at the time, as doctors and insurance formularies refused to pay for the added expense. However, I just did a search on Orange Book at the FDA site, and could not find generic Soma anymore. So something happened when it went on control I presume.

Soma is derived from Meprobamate BTW. So it has abuse potential. Also it has all the side effects etc. It is now a Federally controlled substance category IV. (4)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carisoprodol

Wallace was purchased and the name changed to Medpointe, which was also sold and became Meda. As far as I can remember this company provides all the raw material Soma powder to generic manufacturers still (there is a combo product with aspirin generically still available). (but that may have changed with the Meda takeover..so don't quote me on that).

Meprobamate has fallen into disuse in the US.

This is the listing from FDA Medwatch reports on Soma:
http://www.drugcite.com/?q=Soma

This drug in combination with opiates has a controversial status as contributing to death, by accident or suicidal intent.
In the past I've seen autopsy stats on this combo listed in several states in combination with hydrocodone. For this reason some doctors today may refuse to prescribe it.

This link shows the new patent for Soma 250mg issued in 2007.
http://www.drugs.com/availability/generic-soma.html

However, it also shows generic companies for it... but they do not show
up on the FDA listings today. So I don't know what the availability is for generics.