House Members Join Probe in Allergan-Mohawk Patent Deal

Republicans and Democrats on the House Oversight Committee pressed Allergan for an explanation of its decision to transfer patents for its lucrative dry-eye drug Restasis to a Mohawk tribe to protect them from challenges by would-be generic competitors.

The “unconventional maneuver” by Allergan “may impair competition across the pharmaceutical industry and ultimately dissuade companies from pursuing less-costly generic alternatives to brand drugs,” the letter said.

Signed by Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), and Reps. Dennis Ross (R-Fla.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), the letter asks for documents and communications related to the transaction.