Copyright 2000 The Buffalo News
The Buffalo News
November 1, 2000, Wednesday, FINAL EDITION
SECTION: LOCAL, Pg. 3B
LENGTH: 548 words
HEADLINE:
SCHUMER GETS LOCAL HELP LAUDING GENERIC DRUGS' SAVINGS
BYLINE: GENE WARNER; News Staff Reporter
BODY:
U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer stood
behind the microphones Tuesday afternoon, discussing the big picture, such as
the $ 240 million that Erie County residents could save by buying generic
drugs over the next 10 years.
Off to the side, in front
of the Tops pharmacy on Sheridan Drive in the Town of Tonawanda, Norman and
Jessie Hart of Amherst presented the human side of the issue. The dollar amounts
were a lot smaller, but even more graphic.
Norman Hart, 70, currently
takes two generic drugs, rather than the more expensive name
brands. Atenolol, a heart pill, costs $ 14.99 per month, compared to $ 51.39 for
the brand-name equivalent. And his Chlorthalidone, a diuretic, costs $ 6.95 per
month, compared to $ 25.28.
Together, that saves Hart and his
prescription plan more than 70 percent.
"You can see that's a great
savings on my part," he said. "That's what we seniors are looking for."
Schumer, a New York Democrat, came to Buffalo on Tuesday to stump for
new legislation he has introduced, with U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, that
would help generic-drug producers compete with brand-name
companies.
Hart had little trouble getting to the bottom line of all the
facts, figures and charts trotted out by Schumer and his staff:
"This
would mean cheaper (drug) costs, not only for me, but for all
senior citizens," he said.
Schumer provided examples of how generic
drugs could save seniors and other Buffalo-area residents more
than 60 percent of what they pay for brand-name drugs:
At the Highgate Professional Pharmacy in Buffalo, Norvasc, a heart
medicine, costs $ 46.90 per month, compared to an estimated $ 18.76 per month if
the generic version were available.
At a CVS store in West Seneca,
Claritin costs $ 86.95 per month, compared to $ 34.78 for the generic.
And at the Kenmore Rx Center, Zocor costs $ 110.35 per month, compared
to $ 44.14 for the generic.
The Schumer-McCain legislation, formally
known as the Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act, would allow
generic-drug companies to enter the market promptly after
brand-name companies' drug patents expire.
Drug companies typically get 20-year
patents from the date they apply, translating into 10 to 12
years while a drug is on the market. But Schumer explained that
these drug companies often go to court to extend the
patent, by changing the size of the pill, opting for another
color or even switching from tablet to capsule form.
"The law is so bad
that any time they apply, no matter how frivolous, they automatically get a
30-month extension," the senator said.
Under the
Schumer-McCain bill, the patent changes would be limited to two
categories: how the drug works and how it is taken.
The
legislation also would make it a crime for brand-name companies to pay generic
manufacturers to keep their product off the market.
Why does Schumer
think the pending legislation will be passed,surviving the partisan battles and
drug-company lobbying that have kept similar bills from going
anywhere in Congress? "Both McCain and I are fighters," Schumer said. "We've had
a lot of success against long odds in the past, and we're getting support from
(both sides)."
Schumer hopes the bill could be passed and signed by
June, taking effect six months later.
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November 3, 2000 
