FTC Issues Final Agenda for February 4 Workshop on Follow-on Biologics

The Federal Trade Commission today issued the final agenda for its one-day public workshop on competition and follow-on biologics, which will be held on February 4 at its Conference Center located at 601 New Jersey Ave., NW, in Washington, DC. The workshop, which was postponed due to a weather-related closure of the federal government last December, will examine competition issues surrounding biologic and follow-on biologic medications.

As explained in the Commission’s Federal Register notice and press release that originally announced it, the workshop will specifically focus on how state regulations and naming conventions may impact the development of, and competition for, follow-on biologics. 

The workshop reflects the FTC’s longstanding interest in promoting competition in the pharmaceutical industry. It is free and open to the public. It will be webcast on the FTC’s web site. The Commission is accepting public comments on the workshop through March 1, 2014.

Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities who wish to attend the workshop in person are available upon request. Requests should be submitted via email to lbusby@ftc.gov or by calling Lara Busby at 202-326-3388. Requests should be made in advance. Please include a detailed description of the accommodation needed and provide contact information. Directions to the FTC Conference Center and instructions for pre-registration can be found on the Commission’s website. Pre-registration is not required, but strongly encouraged.

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust{at}ftc{dot}gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 601 New Jersey Ave., N.W., Room 7117, Washington, DC 20001. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.