WASHINGTON, DC (June 26, 2019) — We the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM) applaud Senator Cornyn’s and Senator Blumenthal’s efforts to cap the number of later patents that can be used to block access to more affordable biosimilars. AAM believes that this is a step in the right direction to accelerating biosimilar litigation. AAM believes that capping the total number of biologic patents that can be litigated at a reasonable number would help biosimilar developers enter the market and bring price competition to patients more quickly.
In addition, policy makers should examine how the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) can better police its own pharmaceutical patent decisions by protecting and enhancing Inter Partes Review (IPR).
AAM looks forward to working with all stakeholders on enacting policies that limit the ability of brand-name drug companies to abuse the patent system and create patent thickets that delay access to more affordable medicines.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Rachel Schwartz
202.249.7147
About AAM
AAM is driven by the belief that access to safe, quality, effective medicine has a tremendous impact on a person’s life and the world around them. Generic and biosimilar medicines improve people’s lives, improving society and the economy in turn. AAM represents the manufacturers and distributors of finished generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars, manufacturers and distributors of bulk pharmaceutical chemicals, and suppliers of other goods and services to the generic industry. Generic pharmaceuticals are 90 percent of prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. but only 22 percent of total drug spending.
About the Biosimilars Council
The Biosimilars Council, a division of the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM), works to ensure a positive environment for patient access to biosimilar medicines. The Biosimilars Council is a leading source for information about the safety and efficacy of more affordable alternatives to costly brand biologic medicines. Areas of focus include public and health expert education, strategic partnerships, government affairs, legal affairs and regulatory policy. More information is available at www.biosimilarscouncil.org.