FTC Renews Push to Remove Improper Drug Patents That Block Generics

The agency is challenging more than 200 patent listings it says were improperly used to keep prescription prices high.

Medications at a pharmacy in Los Angeles on May 12, 2025. Eric Thayer/Getty Images

The Federal Trade Commission on May 21 escalated its efforts to lower prescription drug costs, renewing challenges to more than 200 patents it says were improperly listed to prevent generic versions of brand-name drugs from reaching the market.

The FTC sent warning letters to seven pharmaceutical companies: Novartis, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Mylan Specialty, Covis Pharma, and three Teva entities.