Arlen Specter: “I have found the current controversy to be an extremely complicated one as it has worked its way through the Judiciary…”

“I have found the current controversy to be an extremely complicated one as it has worked its way through the Judiciary Committee in trying to structure an arrangement which would be fair to all sides--fair to those who have made investments in patent pharmaceutical products and fair to those who are relying upon generic drugs. As has been indicated at some length, we have very substantial investments which were being made to find new pharmaceutical products, to cure many ailments--wonder drugs, so to speak. At the same time, there is an enormously important consideration that generic drugs be available to senior citizens and others who are of modest means, and also to help reduce the tremendous governmental costs involved with health care in America. The controversy has arisen because of the ambiguity in the term substantial investment and the difficulty in defining equitable remuneration. It is my view that the Congress ought to define those terms, as opposed to leaving the matter to judicial interpretation.”