FTC Hosts Workshop on Competition in Prescription Drug Markets

By Benjamin M. Zegarelli

On Monday, November 13, our colleagues in the Antitrust Section published an alert on the recent FTC workshop, “Understanding Competition in Prescription Drug Markets: Entry and Supply Chain Dynamics.” The workshop, which was held on November 8, 2017, began with two keynote addresses from FTC Acting Chairman Maureen Ohlhausen and FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb. Both speakers focused on the beneficial effects of greater competition on prescription drug prices and signaled that the branded drug manufacturers may be discouraging generic drug manufacturers from entering the market. However, Acting Chairman Ohlhausen stated that any FTC antitrust enforcement actions in this space will be based on the specific facts of a case rather than a broad-based action against particular industry practices.

The alert goes on to summarize the content of each of the four workshop panels:

  • Panel 1: Generic Drug Competition: Understanding Demand, Price and Supply Issues
  • Panel 2: Understanding Intermediaries: Pharmacy Benefit Managers
  • Panel 3: Understanding Intermediaries: Group Purchasing Organizations
  • Panel 4: Potential Next Steps to Encourage Entry and Expand Access Through Lower Prices

Click here to read the full summary of the FTC workshop.

Subscribe To Viewpoints

Published

    • Viewpoint Topics

  • Health Care

    • Professionals

  • Benjamin M. Zegarelli

    • Author

    Benjamin M. Zegarelli

    Of Counsel

    Benjamin advises pharmaceutical, medical device and biotech companies on the FDA regulatory process to identify the correct regulatory pathway, assisting with FDA communications and strategy.