FTC: Generic biologic meds delay is too long

(Reuters) UPDATED 2009-06-10

Officials at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) say the 12- to 14-year patent-protection period given to biologic medications is too long to "promote innovation" in the development of these types of drugs. Biotechnology medicines (including such medications as Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade) are derived from living matter and can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year. Lawmakers would like to give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to clear cheaper copies of these drugs, saying generic versions would not drive the prices of these complex drugs down as low as the prices sometimes drop for simpler medicines. FTC officials believe giving the FDA authority to approve generic biologics would be a way to bring lower-priced versions of these expensive drugs to the market sooner. Read full story >

See all Rheumatoid Arthritis News

Related: Enbrel, Humira, Remicade