E-drug: FTC case against BMS for blocking generic entry
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This is URL for the FTC press release in the charges against
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), regarding the BMS efforts to
manipulate the FDA orange book and the USPTO to block
competition for three drugs, BuSpar, Taxol and Platinol.
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/03/bms.htm
A very detailed account of BMS's illegal conduct in the cases
involving BuSpar, Taxol and Platinol is reported by the FTC in its
"analysis to aid public comment" (URL below). It is a very good
read, and provides evidence of how easily firms can manipulate
patent offices and regulatory agencies, even in cases where life
saving medicines are involved and the lack of access to medicines
results in unnecessary death or suffering by uninsured patients. It
should be exhibit A for USTR in understanding the problems the
USTR will create with its demands that countries link drug
registration and patent status in the various FTA and regional trade
agreements.
Jamie
http://www.ftc.gov/os/2003/03/bristolmyersanalysis.htm
ANALYSIS TO AID PUBLIC COMMENT
In the Matter of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
File Nos. 001 0221, 011 0046, and 021 0181
James Love, Director, Consumer Project on Technology
http://www.cptech.org, mailto:james.love@cptech.org
tel. +1.202.387.8030, mobile +1.202.361.3040
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