Low-Cost Solutions to Health Care Through Generic Competition

June 23, 2009, 9:30am - 11:00am

Twenty-five years ago Congress established a regulatory regime to facilitate generic drug creation, and the availability of these drugs has resulted in substantial consumer savings. With Congress addressing the health care issue this summer, it is important that we now consider the potential public savings made possible from ensuring access to affordable medicine through increased generic competition.

Many are also concerned that patent settlements involving innovator and generic firms are delaying new generic drugs from entering the market. These settlements significantly increase health care costs, and some commentators estimate that they cost consumers billions annually in higher drug prices. Congress and antitrust enforcers are taking steps to address this problem.

Please join the Center for American Progress as Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz discusses recent developments on the issue. A panel of distinguished experts will also talk about generic drug competition and a report issued by CAP on competition in the pharmaceutical markets.