Throughout the health care debate, the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors have repeatedly given more and more to Congress and the Obama Administration in a good faith attempt to contribute to health care reform.
What have the Big Labor unions sacrificed? What about the trial attorneys?
In fact, the generic drug firms are spared from the numerous taxes in the health care bill. Brand-name drug producers and medical device manufacturers aren’t so lucky.
Now the industry has given $10 billion more on top of the original $80 billion agreement.
But that’s not enough for President Obama and Congressional leaders.
Politico reports:
President Obama told House Democrats on Thursday that he wants to reduce the amount of time certain biotechnology treatments are protected under an agreement in both the House and Senate bills. His comments come as negotiators seek billions in additional revenue from the pharmaceutical industry. Ironically, his last-minute push, which comes as negotiators try to bridge divisions between the House and Senate bills, undermines one thing that both bills share: a 12-year exclusivity deal allowing the producers of so-called biologics to make and market treatments without competition from generic manufacturers. One option on the table would reduce the exclusivity period to 10 years, sources say. A drug industry source didn't know how much the change could cost the industry largely because drug makers were caught off guard when Obama decided to weigh in on the issue yesterday. “It’s a significant loss if we lose that,” the source said. The source predicted the move could rattle Democratic lawmakers from Colorado, Massachusetts, North Carolina and other states that have a significant industry presence.
Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Mike Rogers (R-MI) worked diligently to secure widespread bipartisan support for the 12-year exclusivity deal. President Obama and Congressional leaders should not at this stage in the process look to further harm the future of drug innovation in this country by squashing this provision.
At some point the industry has to say enough is enough.
