Statement of FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz Regarding the Senate Judiciary Committee's Passage of the Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act (S. 369)

By taking this action, the Committee clearly recognizes the very real danger that these sweetheart deals pose to Americans struggling to pay their medical bills. Consumers must wait – sometimes years – for far less expensive generic drugs when branded pharmaceutical companies pay off their generic competitors to stay out of the market. We estimate that stopping these pay-for-delay settlements will save consumers about $3.5 billion per year and advance the cause of affordable health care for all Americans.

Let me commend the Senate Judiciary Committee and the leadership of Senator Kohl, Senator Grassley, and Chairman Leahy for all their efforts.