U.S. Threatens Cancellation Of Patents Of Expensive Drugs

The Biden administration is putting pharmaceutical companies on notice, warning them that if the price of certain drugs is too high, the government might cancel their patent protection and allow rivals to make their own versions, Amanda Seitz and Zeke Miller reported for the Associated Press (AP).

The government would consider seizing a patent if a drug is only available to a “narrow set of consumers."

Under a plan announced Thursday, the government would consider overriding the patent for high-priced drugs that have been developed with the help of taxpayer money and letting competitors make them in hopes of driving down the cost.

In a 15-second video released to YouTube, President Joe Biden promised the move would lower prices.

“Today, we’re taking a very important step toward ending price gouging so you don’t have to pay more for the medicine you need,” he said. White House officials would not name drugs that might potentially be targeted.

The government would consider seizing a patent if a drug is only available to a “narrow set of consumers,” according to the proposal that will be open to public comment for 60 days. Drugmakers are almost certain to challenge the plan in court if it is enacted.

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