Patent shenanigans force stronger response from US authorities

Following scrutiny from Democratic senators in Congress, the US Federal Trade Commission has issued a  policy statement on the proper listing of pharmaceutical patents.

The FTC argues that some drugmakers have failed to properly describe the reference drug or methods for their use, potentially stymying generics drugmakers who wish to develop off-patent versions once the defined period of exclusivity has come to an end.

Problems with the way patents are registered, a process that focuses on the comprehensive “Orange Book” of enforceable US patents for medicines, have been recognized for years.