CSRXP APPLAUDS USPTO EFFORTS TO CRACK DOWN ON BIG PHARMA’S PATENT ABUSE AND SUPPORTS ADDITIONAL SOLUTIONS TO BOOST COMPETITION TO HELP LOWER DRUG PRICES

Comment Letters Highlight Key Agency Initiatives Targeting Brand Name Drug Companies’ Anti-Competitive Tactics, Outline Areas for Further Action and Collaboration

Washington, D.C. – The Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing (CSRxP) submitted two letters to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) this week in response to requests for comment on efforts the agency can take to improve the U.S. patent system, increase competition from more affordable alternatives in the prescription drug market and increase collaboration with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Big Pharma games the patent system to extend monopolies, boost profits and keep prescription drug prices high,” said Lauren Aronson, executive director of the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing. “CSRxP applauds and supports action from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and increased collaboration between the USPTO and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to crack down on brand name drug companies’ anti-competitive tactics that block access to more affordable alternatives for patients.”

“Both Congress and the Administration have a critical role to play in holding Big Pharma accountable for the industry’s egregious abuse of the patent system and tactics like patent-thicketing and product-hopping, that distort the market and contribute to out-of-control prices,” Aronson continued. “We look forward to continuing our work with both agencies to crack down on Big Pharma’s anti-competitive practices and boost competition to help lower prices for patients.”

Voters Support Regulatory Solutions to Boost Competition and Prioritize Clinical Value

A recent CSRxP national survey conducted by Morning Consult found U.S. voters overwhelmingly support regulatory action to boost competition and prioritize clinical value.

USPTO Solutions to Strengthen U.S. Patents and Hold Big Pharma Accountable

CSRxP’s comments underscore support for several existing USPTO efforts and outline additional regulatory solutions and potential areas of focus to further crack down on Big Pharma’s egregious anti-competitive practices:

Support for Increased Collaboration Between USPTO and FDA on Patent Abuse

CSRxP also provides support for greater collaboration between USPTO and FDA to combat anti-competitive intellectual property abuses from Big Pharma. In its comments, CSRxP outlines several areas for collaboration between the agencies to hold Big Pharma accountable:

Read CSRxP’s Final Comment Letter on USPTO Initiatives to Ensure the Robustness and Reliability of Patent Rights HERE.

Read CSRxP’s Final Comment Letter on Joint USPTO-FDA Collaboration Initiatives HERE.

Learn more about U.S. voters overwhelming support for USPTO and FDA actions to support competition and hold Big Pharma accountable HERE.

Learn more about bipartisan, market-based solutions to hold Big Pharma accountable HERE.

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