Should the exclusivity period for biosimilars shorten?

This week, 51 of the members of the House of Representatives asked President Obama not to shorten the exclusivity period of biosimilars from 12 years to seven as a part of the Affordable Care Act.  His latest plan for economic growth and debt reduction, branded biosimilars producers would face the shortened exclusivity time.  The House of Representatives believes that biosimilars can be a great asset to the market and patients who face the high prices of biologic drugs.  Patient Docs believes that the ultimate losers in this potential situation are the patients. Many companies would look to move abroad where they were in an atmosphere that supported and acknowledged the importance of innovation, leaving America because of no incentive to develop these cheaper drugs.

What do you think about the exclusivity period?  Should it be seven or twelve years, and how does each scenario affect the American people?

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