In an effort to thwart generic competition, brand-name drugmakers are promising not to launch so-called authorized generics if their generic rivals promise not to market copycat versions of the brand-name drugs, according to a new report from the US Federal Trade Commission. The findings, released in a 270-page report, explore a twist on the controversial practice of pay-to-delay in which brand-name drugmakers settle patent litigation with an agreement that involves a payment and a commitment by a generic drugmaker not to launch a rival med for a specified period of time. The FTC has called these deals anti-competitive and cost consumers $3.5 billion annually.
