Senators introduce bill to ban 'pay-for-delay' deals

WASHINGTON Following a lawsuit against a drug maker that the Federal Trade Commission accuses of paying generic drug companies to delay release of their own versions of one of its drugs, two senators have introduced a bill to ban such "pay-for-delay" deals.

Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, introduced the bill Tuesday, though no bill has been introduced in the House.

The FTC filed suit against Solvay Pharmaceuticals for allegedly violating antitrust laws by promising Watson Pharmaceuticals, Paddock Labs and Par Pharmaceuticals shares of the profits from its AndroGel testosterone-replacement drug if they delayed release of generic versions.