'Linkage' pharmaceutical evergreening in Canada and Australia
2007
Linkage Pharmaceutical Evergreening in Canada and Australia
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Thomas A Faunce, Joel Lexchin
Hypothesis
This article explores the regulatory lessons to be learnt from Canada's and Australia's shared experience in terms of minimizing potential adverse impacts of 'linkage evergreening' provisions on drug costs.
Conclusion
The article discusses how 'linkage evergreening' tactics can delay the entry of generic drugs into the market, leading to higher drug costs for consumers.
Supporting Evidence
- 'Evergreening' is a social idea used to refer to ways pharmaceutical patent owners extend their monopoly privileges.
- The Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association claims that these regulations cost Canadians millions in higher drug prices.
- Brand name companies argue that these regulations are necessary to protect their patents from generic competition.
Takeaway
Some companies try to keep their drug prices high by using tricky legal rules to delay cheaper generic versions from coming to market.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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