Generation Patient, an organization committed to supporting young adults with chronic and rare conditions through community support and policy change, announced its endorsement of Eliminating Thickets to Increase Competition Act (ETHIC Act). Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced this bipartisan legislation to address pharmaceutical patent thickets, allowing for greater access to life-saving medicine.
This legislation aims to reduce the practice of patent thicketing, where multiple overlapping patents are used to create a dense web of legal barriers, making it difficult for generic and biosimilar manufacturers to enter the market. Key provisions include:
Limiting the number of patent infringement lawsuits that brand-name pharmaceutical companies can file against generic and biosimilar competitors.
Applies to both small-molecule drugs and biologics.
“Our current legal landscape makes it close to impossible for many young adult patients to access lifesaving therapeutics,” said Alexander Naum, J.D., Policy Manager at Generation Patient.
“This bill is crucial to combat the monopolistic hold brand-name manufacturers have over the pharmaceutical market by limiting their exploitation of our intellectual property law, allowing for cheaper pharmaceutical alternatives to be accessible to patients.
"As a young adult patient living with multiple chronic and rare conditions, I fully support my community’s endorsement of the ETHIC Act. This important legislation would help prevent pharmaceutical companies from abusing the patent system—practices that keep prices high and life-saving medications out of reach for many patients.” Said Peyton Miles, Co-Chair of the Health Policy Lab at Generation Patient.
“The ETHIC Act offers real hope. It means patients like me could gain access to more affordable generic medications sooner, and it would protect generic manufacturers from facing excessive, unnecessary lawsuits simply for trying to bring those lower-cost alternatives to market."
Why this Matters
Over 15 million adults under the age of 65 were unable to pay for at least one of their prescribed medications.
On average, generic drugs are 80-85% cheaper than their brand-name alternatives.
More competition in the pharmaceutical market will encourage manufacturers to create new innovative medications, rather than relying on outdated products to maintain their profit margins.
Generation Patient urges Congress to prioritize passing this important bill. Patients deserve to access the medication they need.
Learn more about this legislation here.
Contact Alexander@generationpatient.org for more information.