FTC Testifies on "Competition Issues and Follow-on Biologic Drugs"

Testifying today on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission before the Subcommittee on Health of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, Commissioner Pamela Jones Harbour presented the findings and recommendations of the FTC’s new Report, “Follow-on Biologic Drug Competition.” The Report examines whether and how the price of biologic drugs – products manufactured using living tissues and microorganisms – could be reduced by competition from so-called follow-on biologics (FOBs). Biologics are increasingly used to treat arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and other diseases. Lower-priced FOBs are like generic drugs, but with significant differences.

“As an expert competition agency charged with protecting American consumers, the Commission is uniquely well-suited to examine how competition is likely to evolve in biologics markets. This consumer-focused competition perspective is a critically important element of the FOB debate,” said Commissioner Harbour. “The Commission’s Report highlights fundamental aspects of FOB competition, as well as implications for the design of an abbreviated regulatory pathway that will bring life-saving therapies to the American public at competitive prices. I hope and expect that it will serve as a valuable reference, especially for legislators.”

The Commission’s Report draws a number of conclusions about the likely impact of possible incentives to promote FOB competition:

Copies of the Report can be found on the Commission’s Web site at: http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/06/P083901biologicsreport.pdf and as a link to the press release announcing it at: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/biologics.shtm.

(Biologics Statement.final.wpd)