FTC Publishes Public Comments on its Authorized Generics Study

The FTC has begun posting public comments relating to its proposed authorized generics study on its website.  The public comment period ended Monday.

In addition to the comment by the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, available on the FTC website, a helpful reader provided comments from the following consumer and public interest groups:

• AAI, CFA, FUSA, and US PIRG
• AARP
• PAL

All of the comments made available so far encourage the FTC to proceed with its study, and even to broaden the study's scope to investigate other allegedly anticompetitive practices in the pharmaceutical industry.

The FTC is expected to update its website by posting additional comments in the coming days and weeks.  The FTC plans to complete its study in 2007.

RELATED READING:

• Interesting article in this month's Regulatory Affairs Focus, discussing the effects of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 on the practice of authorized generics
• 10 May 06 Orange Book Blog post on authorized generics