[Ip-health] KEI statement on adoption of Eshoo/Barton amendment

[James Love]

http://www.keionline.org/blogs/2009/07/31/kei-statement-on-adoption-of-esho=
obarton-amendment/

KEI statement on adoption of Eshoo/Barton amendment

By James Love, on July 31st, 2009

In a roll call vote, the Eshoo/Barton amendment passed by a vote of 47
to 11. A number of consumer groups are issuing statements. This is the
KEI statement on the vote.

James Love, Director Knowledge Ecology International (KEI),
(+1) (202) 361-3040, james.love@keionline.org

"Health Care reform is both about extending coverage to everyone, and
being smarter about how we spend money. A 12.5 year or more monopoly for
biologic medicines, without any safeguards to protect consumers and
taxpayers is hardly smart. Congress could have embraced a shorter
monopoly, or provided protections against excessive pricing. The
Eshoo/Barton amendment also make it easier for companies extend the
monopoly, through small changes in the products, and by creating areas
where litigtation over nuances in the incumbent friendly rules will
block generics. The negotiations over biogenerics is an example of how
the US Congress can be controlled by big money, on a topic that concerns
everyone as consumers, employers and taxpayers. We can=E2=80=99t have a
sustainable system for access health care without paying attention to
costs."

--
James Love, Director, Knowledge Ecology International
http://www.keionline.org | mailto:james.love at keionline.org
Wk: +1.202.332.2671 | US Mobile +1.202.361.3040 | Geneva Mobile +41.76.413.=
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