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www.fdanews.com/articles/75929-pharma-firms-find-drugs-bill-not-to-taste

PHARMA FIRMS FIND DRUGS BILL NOT TO TASTE

August 31, 2005

A controversial bill that the State Duma is set to pass after it reconvenes next month would prohibit doctors from prescribing specific, brand-name drugs. Supporters of the measure, which passed a first reading in July, say that requiring doctors to use the international nonproprietary name, or INN, instead of a drug's brand name would cut consumers' pharmacy bills. If signed into law, this bill would give consumers greater freedom to choose from lower-priced generic drugs and their brand-name equivalents, the measure's supporters say.

St. Petersburg Times (http://www.sptimes.ru/story/15380)