Mylan COO to testify in 'pay to delay' discussion before Congress

PITTSBURGH An executive from generic drug maker Mylan will testify before Congress on a controversial practice whereby generic drug companies delay release of a generic drug onto the market in exchange for compensation from branded companies.

Mylan announced Monday that COO Heather Bresch would testify before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy on what are known as “pay to delay” patent settlements between generic and branded companies.

A bill introduced into the House in March would prohibit the practice. The Generic Pharmaceutical Association has criticized the bill, saying it would limit the options available in the settlement of a patent challenge by a generic company.