WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal regulators are challenging patents on 20 brand name drugs, including the blockbuster weight-loss injection Ozempic, in the latest action by the Biden administration targeting industry practices that drive up pharmaceutical prices.
The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday sent warning letters to 10 drugmakers, taking issue with patents on popular drugs for weight loss, diabetes, asthma and other reparatory conditions. The letters allege that certain patents filed by Novo Nordisk, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and seven other companies are inaccurate or misleading.
Brand-name drugmakers use patents to protect their medicines and stave off cheaper, generic medicines. Most blockbuster drugs are protected by dozens of patents covering various ingredients, manufacturing processes and intellectual property. Generic drugmakers can only launch their own cheaper versions if the patents have expired or are successfully challenged in court.
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
Oranga Tamariki IT overhaul leaves social workers without access to some information
Pukaki crash: Malaysian authorities involved after two foreign students die
Grant Robertson, the consummate political support partner
Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form
Coronavirus China: Wuhan lab staff 'had virus symptoms before first confirmed cases'
Chinese miners trapped underground for more than a week send out note to raise survival hopes
How to get around the great Easter flight rip
Sienna Miller's lookalike daughter Marlowe, 11, makes her first ever red carpet appearance
This couple have been 'travelling the world non