Alcon sues to save its eyedrop patents

Alcon Inc. went to court this week to stop a rival drugmaker from producing a generic version of its top-selling anti-allergy medicine.

The Fort Worth-based eye-care company Tuesday filed a patent-infringement suit against Barr Laboratories, after getting notification that Barr is seeking government approval to produce a generic form of Alcon's Patanol eyedrops.

Alcon holds patents that prohibit competitors from making generic Patanol until 2015.

Under federal patent law, Alcon's move automatically blocked Barr's efforts for 30 months. Read more

[Jorge from Texas]

I strongly support Barr Laboratories' position. Today I went to fill a prescription for Pataday, and was shocked when they told me that the 2.5 mL bottle would cost me $99.36 (I don't have insurance). I understand that patents do serve a purpose but Pharmaceutical companies are definitely abusing when it comes to setting prices for the drugs they manufacture. Pataday, Ambien CR and other drugs should be more affordable for Americans than they are now.

[WEL]

MAXIDEX WARNNG

I had eye surgery and in the post-op pack was MAXIDEX drops by Alcon Labs. Two days later I was BLIND. Other complications are optic nerve damage, corneal damage, glaucoma and secondary infection