Federal patent laws contribute to high drug prices
Your editorial on Proposition 61 of Sept. 20, and other articles about drug prices, misses one vital point.
Patent and exclusive marketing laws passed by the federal government give the owners of the patents and marketing rights formidable, artificial monopolies. There is no competition.
Patent strength has increased over the years and is well beyond the point where it produces maximum innovation. The consumer will likely benefit most only when these federal laws excluding competition are relaxed.
Mark J. Zoeller, Coarsegold
This story was originally published September 26, 2016 at 12:02 PM with the headline "Federal patent laws contribute to high drug prices."