GPhA Statement on Introduction of H.R. 1548, 'The Pathway for Biosim...( ARLINGTON Va. March 17 -- The Generi...),Health

ARLINGTON, Va., March 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) released the following statement today from GPhA President and CEO Kathleen Jaeger regarding the introduction of H.R. 1548, "The Pathway for Biosimilars Act."

"The Pathway for Biosimilars Act is the wrong road for patients looking for safe and affordable biogeneric medicines, particularly during these difficult economic times. It is a long route filled with needless roadblocks that will keep patients from getting needed medicines in a timely manner.

"To increase competition and ensure timely patient access, Congress needs to enact a workable pathway without unnecessary barriers. The bipartisan consensus bill, the Promoting Innovation and Access to Lifesaving Medicine Act, introduced last week achieves the balance of fostering pharmaceutical innovation while also making affordable medicines available to consumers. This bipartisan bill recognizes our health care system's successful experience with generic medicines for the past 25 years. The market exclusivity provisions in Hatch-Waxman have clearly demonstrated that we can achieve the much-needed balance between pharmaceutical competition and innovation for the benefit of consumers, payors and state and federal governments.

"That's why consumer, business and labor organizations, AARP and many of our nation's governors support the Promoting Innovation and Access to Lifesaving Medicine Act that brings biogeneric medicines to consumers sooner rather than later through timely resolution of patent disputes and market exclusivity provisions consistent with the Hatch-Waxman model.

"Unfortunately, The Pathway for Biosimilars Act is the wrong medicine for patients and our nation's health care system. This bill will only benefit brand companies by erecting barriers including an unprecedented and unjustifiable 14 years of ma
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