“Mylan didn’t invent the EpiPen, they purchased the patents for it.”
This kind of crap has to stop. Patents with unrealistic longevity is killing “free” enterprise. There can be NO competition.
“It is articles like this that make Republicans look bad”
It’s articles like this that make conservatism look bad...and in fact ... is bad for free market capitalism. Mylan is showing just how greedy unfettered capitalism can get when there is no competition for the SAME product and brand.
A typical patent lifespan is 20 years. That's 20 years from the time a drug company discovers the molecule, and decides they want to pursue it. This is NOT 20 years from the time they launch the product commercially.
Now, if the manufacturer discovers new indications for the drug, they can extend the patent. Extend, but not indefinitely.
But to your assertion, how does this make conservatism or free market look bad? Isn't anyone free to do the research and invent their own epi-like pen? No one is stopping the development of a different kind of drug. Wouldn't the introduction of a product that works by the same or even a different mechanism challenge the existing pen?