Patent extensions

GAO report on potential delays in FDA's review of Schering-Plough's Rx antihistamine Claritin could be complete by July, Senate Judiciary Committee ranking minority member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) says June 27. Leahy joined Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and James Jeffords (R-Vt.) in urging the removal of patent extension amendments currently included in must-pass bills. For instance, the Claritin extension is included in the military construction spending bill, currently in conference. The possibility of switching Schering-Plough's antihistamine was discussed at a recent FDA public meeting (1see story, p. 3)