Process patent legislation

Executive Summary

The House passed Rep. Kastenmeier's (D-Wis.) measure (HR 4899) under suspension of the rules, and the Senate Judiciary Committee passed Sen. Mathias' (R-Md.) legislation (S 1543) unanimously on Sept. 19. Although the Mathias bill is viewed as a compromise between the brandname and generic drug industries, Kastenmeier told the House he "had to reject" its provisions due to the "impact of such proposals on nonpharmaceutical industry process patent holders, workability, and fairness to patent holders." He noted that the Reagan Administration shares his concerns ("The Pink Sheet" Sept. 15, p. 12), but added that he hopes "our differences with the other body can be reconciled before adjournment".