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www.fdanews.com/articles/122368-senate-healthcare-bill-preserves-biologics-exclusivity-drugmaker-fee

Senate Healthcare Bill Preserves Biologics Exclusivity, Drugmaker Fee

November 20, 2009
The Senate’s $849 billion healthcare overhaul legislation, like the House version, gives biologics innovators 12 years of exclusivity and requires a 50 percent discount on negotiated prices for brand drugs in Medicare formularies when beneficiaries fall into a coverage gap. But unlike the House bill, it would charge brand-drug makers $2.3 billion in annual fees. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, H.R. 3590, released last week, must get 60 votes to open debate on it before the full Senate votes whether to approve it.
Drug Industry Daily