A new analysis reveals that major pharmaceutical companies systematically exploit the concept of innovation to maintain drug monopolies long after original patents expire—a practice known as evergreening. Rather than developing genuinely novel therapies, companies file hundreds of patents on minor modifications such as new dosing schedules or delivery mechanisms, creating impenetrable patent thickets that prevent generic competition.
AbbVie’s strategy with Humira exemplifies this approach: the company filed 247 patents on its arthritis medication to block generic entry without achieving meaningful therapeutic advances. This regulatory capture enables pharmaceutical firms to reset exclusivity periods artificially, extending monopolies for decades. The consequences are substantial: healthcare systems face billions in unnecessary costs while patients struggle with inflated medication prices. Experts argue that current patent frameworks reward market manipulation rather than genuine innovation, undermining healthcare access and affordability globally.
Read the full article on GMJ Newsroom.
Was this article helpful?
