http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/12/13/pay-for-delay-to-stay-more-proof-congress-doesnt-care-about-the-deficit/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CampaignSilo+%28Jane+Hamsher+Campaign+Silo%29&utm_content=TwitterOur long-term deficit problem is due basically to the incredibly high cost of health care if we fixed that we won’t have a long term deficit problem. The reason our health care costs so much is that Congress allows providers to engage in practices that rip off the public and the government. A great example is “pay for delay.” The government currently allows drug makers to directly pay other companies not to compete with them. Legislative efforts to put an end to this monopolistic practice appear dead according to the Hill.
The pharmaceutical industry is on the verge of a major victory as the lame-duck congressional session winds down.
An effort to severely restrict pharmaceutical industry deals from delaying the entry to the market of low-cost generic drugs appears likely to die in the lame-duck. That could kill the legislation for some time, since a Republican House is seen as unlikely to support the measure.
The Senate appropriations bill includes language that would put new limits on generic drug makers’ ability to accept payment to settle patent disputes with brand name drug companies. The provision, which is backed by senior senators in both parties and the Federal Trade Commission, is intended to speed delivery to the market of cheaper, generic drug.
Even from a pro-free market perspective, there is no justification for allowing this market-rigging practice to continue.
More at the link ---
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