EU: Pharmas call for ‘common sense’ IP reform

Pharmaceutical companies are calling for reform by European regulators on patent rules, report say.

The European Generic Medicines Association recently held a forum and followed the meeting with a statement that called for the changes. According to the group, the Commission must introduce “common sense” reforms that allow generic forms of medicines to enter the market once a brand-name patent expires.

Reports say the pharmaceutical makers are meeting with the European Patent Office “to address deficiencies in the granting of pharmaceutical patents that, if abused, can delay competition in the Single Market.”

The EGA has also expressed concerns that regulatory enforcement over pharmaceutical patents could delay generic entry into the market and hamper consumers’ access to the cheaper versions of treatments.

Controversy has surrounded the pharmaceutical industry in recent years as competition authorities look to address the issue of so-called pay-for-delay agreements, in which brand name companies pay generic counterparts to delay the release of their drug onto the market.

Full Content: The Pharma Letter

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