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FTC Eyes Drug Patents for Antitrust Watch
18 Mar
Summary
- FTC scrutinizes drug patents nearing expiration to prevent anticompetitive practices.
- Key blockbuster drugs face patent cliffs, impacting consumer drug prices.
- Agency blocked a medical equipment merger over competition concerns.
The Federal Trade Commission is actively investigating anticompetitive behavior within the pharmaceutical sector. This scrutiny is intensified as many high-selling drugs are nearing the end of their patent protections. The FTC's director of antitrust enforcement highlighted this as a key focus area for the agency, aiming to ensure fair competition and consumer pricing.
Several major drugs, including Merck's Keytruda and Pfizer's Eliquis, are scheduled to lose patent exclusivity by the close of 2030. The FTC is also taking action against mergers, recently contributing to the abandonment of Alcon's bid for Lensar. This deal was blocked due to concerns it would reduce competition in the market for laser systems used in cataract surgery, potentially raising costs and hindering innovation.
The agency's attention extends to the impact of mergers on innovation incentives, even for drugs still in the development pipeline. The FTC is committed to safeguarding the economic well-being and health of Americans by ensuring a competitive pharmaceutical market.
