Government

Bill to end generic drug delays clears House subcommittee

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 15, 2009

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on June 3 voted 16-10 along party lines to approve a bill that would prohibit brand-name drug firms from settling patent dispute cases by paying generic drugmakers to delay the marketing of generics, an arrangement sometimes called "pay-for-delay."

The measure, known as the Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act, is sponsored by Rep. Bobby Rush (D, Ill.). "During a time when we are deliberating on universal health care and ways to cut down costs, this bill will save taxpayers and consumers billions of dollars from increased generic competition in the marketplace," said Rush, chair of the subcommittee that adopted the bill.

But Generic Pharmaceutical Assn. President and CEO Kathleen Jaeger said the bill could actually narrow access to generic drugs. "Limiting the parties' ability to settle patent disputes would discourage legitimate pro-consumer settlements that result in early market entry and would result in fewer patent challenges, which would lead to delayed market entry and a substantial loss of savings for consumers," she said.

American Medical Association policy supports the Federal Trade Commission in its efforts to end pay-for-delay arrangements. The House Judiciary Committee held a June 3 hearing on the issue.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/15/gvbf0615.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn