Administration's Generic Drug Rules Provide Weak, Diluted Relief for America's Consumers

Proposal Appears Designed to Undermine Stronger, Bipartisan Proposal Adopted by the Senate

The following is the statement of Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, concerning the White House announcement regarding new FDA regulations to provide improved and quicker access to generic drugs:

"While the Administration's decision to hasten the availability of therapeutically effective, much cheaper generic drugs is welcomed, it appears to be considerably weaker than legislation adopted by an overwhelming and bipartisan 78-21 margin in the U.S. Senate. The proposed regulations seem intended to undermine this strong legislative measure that now enjoys very significant, bipartisan, and growing support on Capitol Hill.

"It appears that the proposed FDA regulations will not permit generic drug companies to seek prompt court decisions on frivolous new patents filed by brand-name companies- patents that are designed to prevent generic drugs from coming to market. The Administration has steadfastly opposed this needed remedy, even though it is an effective tool to prevent the industry's abusive, anti-competitive practices.

"In light of skyrocketing drug costs and the pharmaceutical industry's unethical efforts to prevent generic drugs from coming to market, much bolder action is needed than what the Administration announced today."

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

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