Alan Blinken on Health Care

Extend patents in exchange for reasonable Rx drug prices

My plan will cut the cost of drugs in half, without raising taxes or penalizing drug companies. The plan is to offer drug companies an extension on their patents (up to 10 years) if they institute a co-pay program for struggling seniors and agree to sell their drugs at the average price in Europe, Canada, and Japan. Unlike the other drug plans before congress, my plan drug would cost the taxpayer nothing, because drug companies would voluntarily cut their prices in order to receive a longer patent life. Source: Campaign website www.AlanBlinkenForSenate.com, "Stands" Sep 30, 2002

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