title: Upstream solutions for price-gouging on critical generic medicines.
abstract: Exorbitant price increases for critical off-patent medicines have received considerable media attention in recent months, leading to an investigation by the U.S. Senate. However, much of this attention has focused upon the companies that initiated the price increases, all of whom had recently acquired the drugs in question. Overlooked are upstream interventions with the originators of these drugs to prevent generics trolling in the first place. Using the particular example of Eli Lilly and Company's efforts to divest itself of cycloserine, a flawed process that paved the way for the recent price hike by Rodelis Therapeutics, this article highlights the responsibilities of drug originators, and safeguards to ensure similar rights transfers do not affect ongoing affordable access.
authors.affiliation: University of Ottawa, Room 221 1 Stewart St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Canada.
authors.forename: Adam R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Houston
authors.affiliation: University of Ottawa, Room 221 1 Stewart St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Canada.
authors.forename: Reed F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Beall
authors.affiliation: University of Ottawa, Room 221 1 Stewart St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Canada.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Attaran
keywords: Cycloserine; Essential medicines; Generic drugs; Generics trolling; Pharmaceutical pricing; Pyrimethamine