Mylan Again Calls for an End to Authorized Generics During 180-Day Exclusivity PeriodSees opportunity to end abusive use of authorized generics during period
of exclusivity
PITTSBURGH, June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mylan Inc.'s (Nasdaq: MYL)
Chief Operating Officer Heather Bresch today testified before the U.S. House
of Representatives Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy
concerning patent litigation settlements between branded pharmaceutical
companies and generic pharmaceutical companies. During her testimony, Bresch
conveyed Mylan's position that the launch of an authorized generic by brand
companies during a generic company's 180-day exclusivity period undermines
competition and delays timely access to high quality, affordable generic
medications for patients, taxpayers, the government and businesses.
The committee's hearing, "Pay to Delay: Are Patent Settlements That Delay
Generic Drug Market Entry Anticompetitive?," was called to gather information
about the effects of settlements.
Bresch commented: "When it comes to settlements, Congress need look no
further than the use and abuse of authorized generics by brand manufacturers.
The increase in the number of patent litigation settlements in recent years is
directly related to the increased use of authorized generics during the
180-day market exclusivity period. This tactic upsets the natural balance of
incentives that Congress intended with its 1984 Hatch-Waxman legislation."
Bresch continued: "Congress has an opportunity to act now to ensure that
timely access to affordable generics is offered to patients by restoring the
true 180-day exclusivity period. This is even more profound and critical today
as Congress deliberates on a regulatory pathway for life-saving generic
biologics, treatments that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per
patient per year."
A complete version of Bresch's written testimony for the subcommittee
hearing can be found at www.mylan.com/breschtestimony060309.
Mylan Inc., which provides products to customers in more than 140
countries and territories, ranks among the leading diversified generics and
specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world. The company maintains one of
the industry's broadest -- and highest quality -- product portfolios,
supported by a robust product pipeline; owns a controlling interest in the
world's third largest active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturer; and
operates a specialty business focused on respiratory and allergy therapies.
For more information, please visit www.mylan.com.
SOURCE Mylan Inc.
06/03/2009
CONTACT: Michael Laffin (Media), +1-724-514-1968or Dan Crookshank
(Investors), +1-724-514-1813, both of Mylan Inc.
/Web Site: http://www.mylan.com
(MYL)