The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken action against ten drugmakers, including Novo Nordisk, over controversial patents for their drugs, particularly focusing on Novo Nordisk’s diabetes drugs Ozempic, Saxenda, and Victoza. The FTC argues that pharmaceutical companies are listing unnecessary patents to keep drug prices high and prevent generic competitors from entering the market. This move by the FTC aligns with the Biden administration’s goal of making healthcare more affordable for Americans.
The FTC issued letters to the ten companies, warning them that certain drug patents were improperly listed. The companies involved are Novo Nordisk, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Covis Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, and some of their subsidiaries. Many of the patents in question are related to Type 2 diabetes, asthma, and inhalers for COPD.
Top-selling medications are typically protected by multiple patents covering various aspects such as ingredients, manufacturing processes, and intellectual property. Generic drugmakers can only release cheaper versions of branded drugs once the patents have expired or have been successfully challenged in court.
FTC Chair Lina Khan stated that pharmaceutical companies are blocking competition and inflating drug prices by filing bogus patent listings. She emphasized the importance of challenging these illegal tactics to ensure that Americans have access to affordable and innovative medicines.
In addition to notifying the FDA about the patent challenges, the FTC has also taken action against branded drug patents in the past. Last fall, several drugmakers complied and delisted their patents with the FDA, while others did not.
The FTC’s efforts to combat alleged patent abuses in the pharmaceutical industry are part of a larger initiative by the Biden administration to make healthcare more accessible and affordable. President Joe Biden has made healthcare affordability a central pillar of his 2024 re-election campaign.
Overall, the FTC’s actions against ten drugmakers, including Novo Nordisk, over controversial patents for drugs like Ozempic highlight the ongoing efforts to lower drug prices and increase competition in the pharmaceutical industry. By challenging these patent listings, the FTC aims to ensure that Americans have timely access to affordable medications they rely on.
 has taken action against ten drugmakers, including Novo Nordisk, over controversial patents for their drugs. The FTC argues that pharmaceutical companies are listing unnecessary patents to keep drug prices high and prevent generic competitors from entering the market, aligning with the Biden administration's goal of making healthcare more affordable for Americans. Learn more about the FTC's efforts to lower drug prices and increase competition in the pharmaceutical industry.){kind=link}