[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 115 (Monday, September 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE HIGH COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF GENERIC 
                               MEDICINES

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                          HON. THOMAS H. ALLEN

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 25, 2000

  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about the importance of 
generic drugs and competition in the pharmaceutical market. This year, 
as in the past, brand drug manufacturers are asking Congress to support 
legislation that will extend patents on their most profitable 
medicines. The most profitable industry in the world is asking Congress 
for permission to continue gouging consumers, especially seniors and 
the uninsured.
  The most notable bills now before us are S. 1172 and H.R. 1598, 
commonly known as the ``Claritin'' bills. Claritin's manufacturer, 
Schering-Plough is pushing these bills to protect its popular allergy 
drug, Claritin, and six drugs commonly used by seniors from less costly 
generic competitors.
  Researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Pharmacy 
estimate high consumer costs if the Claritin bills pass. Americans may 
be forced to pay an additional $11 billion for this medicine over the 
life of the patent extension because more affordable alternatives will 
be barred from the market. That is an enormous burden to place on 
consumers, seniors and taxpayers, especially at a time when health 
costs are escalating.
  Fortunately, the Claritin bills are stalled. Unfortunately we expect 
Schering-Plough and other brand companies to continue to push patent 
extension bills in years to come, because patents are scheduled to 
expire on tens of billions of dollars worth of drugs.
  For the sake of 15 million seniors who lack adequate prescription 
drug coverage, we must stop all patent extensions whether they are 
offered directly, or are couched in supposedly consumer friendly 
language. Consumer and senior groups throughout the nation oppose these 
bills. We must too.

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