Two words define the phrase greedy bully: pharmaceutical companies.
Scores of major employers are retreating from support of federal legislation to speed consumer access to lower-cost generic drugs.
Why? Drug manufacturer Eli Lilly, among others, is threatening to stop doing business with companies backing efforts to close loopholes allowing pill makers to artificially extend their drug patent rights.
Georgia Pacific, United Parcel Service, Marriott International, Verizon and others—fearing loss of contracts—have dropped their support because of the strong-arm tactics.
All were members of Business for Affordable Medicine, a coalition of governors and employers that testified in support of the legislation.
The Senate already has passed the enabling bill, but the House must now act before the October recess.
Pharmaceutical companies have crossed the ethical line, if not antitrust and restraint-of-trade laws. (13 OCTOBER 2002)
