Frank Pallone: “I appreciate it. I am amazed how people do not even know about generics. We know, for example, when we talk about…”

“I appreciate it. I am amazed how people do not even know about generics. We know, for example, when we talk about generics that in many cases, probably in most cases, there is a generic alternative to some of the name-brand drugs; but the problem is that people, physicians and seniors just get hit and bombarded with all this advertising, they do not even have any education about generics, they do not even know whether there is an equivalent, the fact that it is just as good, they have no knowledge whatsoever. Then, as you say, you get the companies coming in trying to extend the patents and using all kinds of gimmicks to prevent the generics from even coming to market, using procedural tactics and lawsuits and everything else half the time; and if that does not work, then they invite a Member of Congress to sponsor a private bill to just extend the patent. There is getting to be less of that because it has been brought out into the light; but for years that was happening on a regular basis, and it is probably still happening. But I think the ultimate irony is that they get some kind of a tax break for the advertising. Here they are, convincing people that this is the only alternative, which is not true; and then they get to take some sort of a tax break to pay for the advertising. It is unbelievable.…”