Lobbyists Battle Over Biologic Drug Protections
"As Congress struggles with a massive health care overhaul, several lobbying powerhouses - including the pharmaceutical industry and the nation"s largest advocacy group for retirees - are locked in a contentious fight over the future of biotechnology drugs," USA Today reports in a front page package. "Both sides have spent heavily to sway lawmakers in the debate over how long to keep the expensive drugs exempt from generic competition." The pharmaceutical industry is fighting for 12 years of exclusivity, while President Barack Obama is "pushing for seven years of exclusivity as he looks to trim costs to help pay for his health care plan. ... The pharmaceutical industry counters that a longer period of exclusivity is needed to recover its investments in "biologic drugs," which are made from living organisms and used to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis and other serious diseases."
Medical Devices