Hatch–Waxman Reform and Accelerated Market Entry of Generic Drugs: Is Faster Necessarily Better?

Authors

Sarah E. Eurek

Abstract

Recently there has been a considerable amount of pressure to accelerate consumer access to generic drugs, which are significantly less expensive than their brand-name counterparts. One way to bring generic drugs on to the market sooner is through revision of the existing law relating to pharmaceutical patents. This iBrief describes recent regulatory changes to the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act (the Hatch-Waxman Act), which governs the patenting process for new drug products, as well as current legislative efforts to speed generic access through Hatch-Waxman reform. This iBrief also assesses whether these changes will be beneficial to consumers on a long-term basis.

Citation

Sarah E. Eurek, Hatch–Waxman Reform and Accelerated Market Entry of Generic Drugs: Is Faster Necessarily Better?, 2 Duke Law & Technology Review 1-14 (2003)