THE HIGH COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF GENERIC MEDICINES -- HON. THOMAS H. ALLEN (Extensions of Remarks - September 25, 2000)

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HON. THOMAS H. ALLEN OF MAINE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, September 25, 2000

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about the importance of generic drugs and competition in the pharmaceutical market. This year, as in the past, brand drug manufacturers are asking Congress to support legislation that will extend patents on their most profitable medicines. The most profitable industry in the world is asking Congress for permission to continue gouging consumers, especially seniors and the uninsured.

The most notable bills now before us are S. 1172 and H.R. 1598, commonly known as the ``Claritin'' bills. Claritin's manufacturer, Schering-Plough is pushing these bills to protect its popular allergy drug, Claritin, and six drugs commonly used by seniors from less costly generic competitors.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Pharmacy estimate high consumer costs if the Claritin bills pass. Americans may be forced to pay an additional $11 billion for this medicine over the life of the patent extension because more affordable alternatives will be barred from the market. That is an enormous burden to place on consumers, seniors and taxpayers, especially at a time when health costs are escalating.

Fortunately, the Claritin bills are stalled. Unfortunately we expect Schering-Plough and other brand companies to continue to push patent extension bills in years to come, because patents are scheduled to expire on tens of billions of dollars worth of drugs.

For the sake of 15 million seniors who lack adequate prescription drug coverage, we must stop all patent extensions whether they are offered directly, or are couched in supposedly consumer friendly language. Consumer and senior groups throughout the nation oppose these bills. We must too.
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