Federal regulators are taking action against patents on 20 brand name drugs, including the popular weight-loss injection Ozempic, in an effort to address industry practices that contribute to high pharmaceutical prices. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued warning letters to 10 drugmakers, questioning the accuracy and legitimacy of patents related to medications for weight loss, diabetes, asthma, and other respiratory conditions.
Pharmaceutical companies often use patents to protect their drugs from generic competition, thereby maintaining higher prices. The FTC alleges that certain patents filed by companies such as Novo Nordisk, GlaxoSmithKline, and AstraZeneca are misleading or inaccurate, hindering competition and driving up costs for consumers.
Ozempic, a medication initially developed for diabetes treatment but now also approved for obesity, has seen a significant increase in prescriptions and Medicare spending. Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, has not provided a comment on the matter.
This recent action by the FTC follows a previous challenge in September, where regulators questioned over 100 patents held by various drugmakers, including Abbvie and Boehringer Ingelheim. Companies receiving the warning letters have 30 days to either update their patent listings or certify the legitimacy of the patents under penalty of perjury.
President Joe Biden's administration has been actively working to lower drug prices, with strategies such as allowing Medicare to negotiate with drugmakers and enabling states to import more affordable medications from other countries. These patent challenges are part of a broader effort to address the issue of rising prescription drug costs.
