Healthy Skepticism Library item: 12122

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Hondeghem LM, De Clerck F, Camm J.
Short patent lives jeopardize drug and patient safety.
J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2007 Oct; 50:(4):353-7
http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00005344-200710000-00001

Abstract:

Exposure of patients to new medications carries potential safety hazards during widespread clinical practice. These are often detected only after a substantial period of use. Thus, there is considerable need for measures reducing drug-related morbidity and mortality, such as adequate, active postmarketing drug-safety surveillance systems with obligatory follow-up studies of suspected safety problems, or even an additional “Phase IV” safety study before marketing. However, drug development processes erode substantially into the useful patent life of a new drug. Therefore, we suggest that the potential benefits of patent life prolongation should be considered, under certain conditions for the sake of patient safety.

Keywords:
PMID: 18049301 [PubMed - in process]