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The Patentability And Patent Term Extension Of Lifesaving Drugs: A Deadly Mistake, Jonathan L. Mezrich

Journal of Law and Health

The pharmaceutical business is dominated largely by two types of entities: large, research-intensive corporations, and the smaller "generic" drug "knock-off" artists. because the former organizations have to put so much of their budget into research and development (R&D), a form of investment which is often akin to pouring money into a hole, the 17-year exclusive monopoly of a patient is often the only way such a company can remain profitable. However, because of a concern for public safety, all substances prepared for human consumption must be put through extensive testing by the FDA. This testing could take a long period …