European Commission berates drug industry for delays in access to generics

A combination of illegal business practices and regulatory obstacles is delaying the arrival of generic drugs and novel drugs onto the market, concludes an 18 month investigation of the drug industry by the European Commission.

Taking a sample of drugs that faced losing their exclusivity between 2000 and 2007 in 17 European Union countries, the inquiry found that the public had to wait more than seven months after patents had expired before cheaper generic products became available.

Announcing the findings, Neelie Kroes, the EU’s competition commissioner, called for “more competition and less red tape” …