National Post: Generics slam proposed drug patent rules

New patent rules just proposed by the federal government would delay generic versions of Lipitor, Viagra and several other blockbuster drugs by as much as two years, costing consumers and taxpayers tens of millions of dollars annually, generic companies are warning.

The government says the regulations would simply restore fairness and stability to the brand-name industry after two court rulings put unexpected new curbs on the practice of "evergreening" -- filing new patents on a drug in an attempt to stave off generic competition.

Generic firms, which stand to lose business as a result of the suggested amendments, call the move an unjustified sop to the brand-name manufacturer.

"It completely surprised us. We had no inkling it was coming," said Jim Keon, president of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Assocition. "The provincial drug plans are really going to feel this in a big way."

...

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=494149

Enough is enough with Big Pharma and the Tories! Why can't they just stop trying to think of new ways to gouge us? Good thing I don't take Lipitor! :evilgrin:

Footsteps.

Plus it is another blow to medicare.

But the corporations rule.

Look what is coming.

Buyer's remorse? Are Democrats abandoning Obama?

David Parker understands what it will mean to take the prize away from Barack Obama.

He is well aware that Obama has amassed the most elected delegates in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination and has a lead that looks to be insurmountable. And yes, he says, it will get ugly if the party establishment hands Hillary Clinton the nomination anyway.

But that doesn't mean he wouldn't vote to do just that.

Parker, a small-town North Carolina lawyer, is a Democratic party superdelegate. As such, he is among a few hundred privileged insiders who will, at some point in the next few months, decide who wins a race that has fascinated not just this country but much of the world.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/reportsfromabroad/macdonald/20080502.html