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July 12, 2002

Generic drug firms win one in the Senate

A Senate committee yesterday supported easier release of generic drugs.

Under current law, a maker of brand-name drugs can often get a 30-month delay in federal approval of generic drugs by filing a lawsuit that alleges infringement of its patents. Critics say that some companies have delayed generic competition for years by repeatedly seeking 30-month delays.

The bill approved today would allow a single 30-month delay, to protect patents listed at the time a brand-name product is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Brand-name drug companies adamantly opposed the measure, saying it would reduce patent protections for their products, thus reducing incentives for the discovery of cures and treatments.

This bill would impact one of the "dirty tricks" that the big pharmaceutical companies play. Committee Backs Expansion of Access to Low-Cost Drugs

 Posted by on July 12, 2002 03:26 AM | TrackBack




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