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Press Release

GPhA Welcomes Nomination of Congressman Portman to be U.S. Trade Representative

Arlington, VA, March 17, 2005 -- The Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) today welcomed President Bush’s nomination of Ohio Representative Rob Portman to be the U.S. Trade Representative.

“We’re pleased that the President has decided to nominate Congressman Portman to this critical position,” said GPhA President and CEO Kathleen Jaeger. “As the Administration continues its bold trade agenda, GPhA strongly believes that it is essential that new trade agreements take into consideration existing U.S. measures relating to the accessibility of affordable pharmaceuticals.

“In our dealings with Congressman Portman both in Washington and his district, we have found him to be open to our concerns, ideas, and sensitive about the role of our industry in Ohio. GPhA has enjoyed working with the Congressman in his current role, and we are looking forward to continuing our conversations with him as the U.S. trade representative, once he is confirmed by the Senate.

“The important role that generic drugs play in providing American consumers with affordable medicines can, and should be expanded into other nations; yet, we also must be diligent in our efforts to preserve U.S. provisions that ensure access to affordable medicines here at home,” Jaeger said.

GPhA is committed to a balance between innovation of new, life-saving medicines and access to affordable pharmaceuticals. However, if trade agreements contain certain provisions that promote innovation, yet are devoid of other essential provisions that foster access to generics (such as the Bolar, generic exclusivity and declaratory judgment provisions), American’s access to affordable medicines could be severely harmed as a result of future harmonization measures.

Jaeger noted that the generic pharmaceutical sector is uniquely impacted by harmonization of agreements on intellectual property protections for pharmaceuticals -- particularly insofar as they increase market exclusivity periods, fail to include essential access provisions, or contain provisions that impede access to affordable medicines. New trade agreements could potentially affect American consumers’ access to affordable drugs as well as the business interests of the U.S. generic pharmaceutical industry.

GPhA represents the manufacturers and distributors of finished generic pharmaceuticals, manufacturers and distributors of bulk active pharmaceutical chemicals, and suppliers of other goods and services to the generic drug industry. Generics represent 53% of the total prescriptions dispensed in the United States, but less than 12% of all dollars spent on prescription drugs.

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