WASHINGTON, D.C. 鈥� (August 15, 2023) Everyone should be able to get the prescription drugs they need at a price they can afford. A recent published by STAT highlights how pharmaceutical companies are using continuation patents to keep lower-cost generic drugs from reaching the market, forcing hardworking Americans to choose between paying their bills and getting the life-saving medicines they need:
鈥淧harmaceutical companies often file what are known as continuation patents in order to extend their window to thwart lower-cost generic competitors from reaching the market. But critics argue such patents can amount to inconsequential tweaks, which bolster bottom lines, but force the U.S. health care system to pay higher prices for medicines for extended periods.鈥�
The STAT article cites a , noting the skyrocketing use of continuation patents in avoiding competition:
鈥淔rom 2000 to 2015, the Food and Drug Administration approved 1,421 new brand-name drugs. The ratio of continuation patents increased from 0.6 for drugs that were approved in 2000 to 1.8 for drugs approved in 2015, a 200% rise.鈥�
The JAMA study authors point to the costly fight that generic competitors must undertake for their drug to gain approval:
鈥淭he study authors maintain the increased use of continuation patents makes it costlier and more time-consuming for would-be generic rivals to file patent challenges. Although they noted that continuation patents are typically invalidated at a higher rate than patents for active ingredients, lawsuits filed by brand-name drug companies can delay generic drug approvals for 30 months, even if they later fail.鈥�
Read the STAT (note: may require site subscription).
Read the JAMA .
Discover more 熊猫视频resources on High-Priced Drugs.
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