Senate Bipartisan Push for Patent Reform Targets Soaring Drug Prices

Lawmakers scrutinize pharmaceutical companies' patent practices to curb high prescription costs.

Senators from both parties accuse drug companies of abusing the patent system to extend exclusivity and limit competition.
The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on 'evergreening,' where minor tweaks to drugs extend patents.
Proposed reforms include limiting patent extensions and addressing 'product-hopping' to enhance market competition.
Pharmaceutical industry representatives argue that strong patents are essential for innovation and recovering R&D costs.
Some senators suggest that patent reform alone won't suffice and advocate for broader healthcare system changes.