FTC Wades Into Drug Pricing, Patent Listings With Policy Vote

The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday will consider issuing a policy statement regarding the “improper” listing of patents in the FDA’s Orange Book, a publication that lists drug products the agency approved and deems safe and effective.

The FTC’s discussion comes as Congress recently highlighted the anti-competitive business practices in the pharmaceutical industry and soaring drug prices for consumers.

The Orange Book, also known as the gateway for generic brand drugmakers, allows generic manufacturers to determine which drugs can be substituted for particular name-brand drugs.

Generic drugmakers have long been concerned about the way name-brand drugmakers enter their products ...