AHIP Letter Urges Congressional Leaders to Pass Patent Reforms

On July 22, AHIP President and CEO Mike Tuffin sent a letter to bipartisan House leaders urging consideration and passage of legislation that would boost competition by limiting drug manufacturers’ ability to manipulate the patent litigation process. In July, the Senate unanimously approved the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act (S. 150), which would restrict how many patents a pharmaceutical company can dispute against a biosimilar application.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the legislation would save taxpayers $1.8 billion, as there are currently no limits on how many patents a name-brand biologic manufacturer can assert during the process. The letter also urges the leaders to consider additional bipartisan legislation already introduced in the House that would help make the pharmaceutical market more competitive by limiting patent gaming.