A new report by STAT sheds additional light on how drugmakers relentlessly abuse the patent system to “stymie competition — and thus block lower-cost alternatives for consumers.”
The report comes as drugmakers continue to wage lavishly funded lobbying and marketing campaigns to demonize negotiators in both the private sector and the government so they can continue to overcharge Americans for prescription drugs.
Why it matters: The “moves by some drugmakers to expand their patent claims appear to be delaying the arrival of lower-cost generic medicines to the marketplace,” STAT reports.
The bottom line: Bipartisan reforms are needed to restore competition and move toward drug prices that are based on clinical value rather than drugmakers’ lobbying and marketing.
Go deeper: Read STAT’s full report and learn more about how drugmakers are driving the high cost of prescription medications.