New FTC Chair Confirmed, to Continue Generic Drug Probe

The Senate has confirmed Timothy Muris to head the Federal Trade Commission, and the new chair indicated he would continue the agency's investigation into "alleged anticompetitive pacts" between large pharmaceutical companies and generic producers to keep cheaper drugs off the market, the Wall Street Journal reports (Dreazen, Wall Street Journal, 5/29). Current FTC Chair Robert Pitofsky has said drug companies that hold patents on brand-name drugs are "gaming the rules" by making deals with generic drug manufacturers to keep generic products off the market "far longer than the law intended." During his confirmation hearings, Muris said that the intent of the current generic drug law is "being violated" (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 5/17). With Muris' confirmation, the GOP will hold a 3-2 majority at the FTC, giving the Republicans control of the agency for the first time in eight years (Wall Street Journal, 5/29).