FTC presses for more competition on generic drugs

The New York Times: F.T.C. Criticizes Agreements That Delay Generic Drugs
Some drug makers are using an indirect method to delay competition from low-cost generic products by promising not to introduce their own generic versions if a potential competitor delays its entry into the market, the Federal Trade Commission said in a report on Wednesday (Wilson, 8/31).

The Hill reports that "The first generic to successfully challenge a brand-name drug's patent gets six months on the market without competition from other generics. ... In some cases, the brand-name manufacturer sells an "authorized generic" during that six-month window. Generic manufacturers say the practice weakens their incentive to challenge brand-name drugs' patents, meaning fewer generics might become available" (Baker, 8/31).