A report released in October by the Center for Medical Progress argues that increased generic drug availability doesn’t increase the amount of drugs dispensed. The report states that when generic drug patents expire, the total number of drugs dispensed doesn’t change because the increase in use generated by the availability of less expensive drugs is offset by a reduction in use tied to the drop off in marketing. Chad Landmon, chair of the FDA practice at Axinn, spoke with Generic Line about the report, saying that both the brand and generic industries largely agree that a robust patent system is necessary. “The question really boils down to how far that patent protection should go for patents directed to certain formulations or methods of use that are not major innovations,” Landmon said.

The article, entitled, “Report: Generic Drug Availability Doesn’t Increase Drugs Dispensed,” was published by Generic Line on November 25, 2009. Click here for a copy of the article:

Additional Documents:

• GEN Drug Avail.pdf