By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Drug Company to Congress: The ‘Dog Ate My Homework’
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Medical Ethics > Drug Company to Congress: The ‘Dog Ate My Homework’
Medical Ethics

Drug Company to Congress: The ‘Dog Ate My Homework’

JohnCGoodman
JohnCGoodman
Share
2 Min Read
SHARE

Just about anyone who has ever been a kid in school recalls trying to make up an excuse believable enough to avoid being punished for not turning in your homework on time. An old favorite is “the dog ate my homework.”

Just about anyone who has ever been a kid in school recalls trying to make up an excuse believable enough to avoid being punished for not turning in your homework on time. An old favorite is “the dog ate my homework.”

A decade ago WilmerHale, a powerful law firm, missed a key deadline far more important than homework. It mistakenly filed a patent extension for its drug company client one day after the 60-day deadline. Rather than being penalized one letter grade like in grade school, the patent extension was rejected by the Patent and Trademark Office, causing the client to lose patent protection five years early for a drug it owned. The drug company sued its law firm, which agreed to cough up $214 million if it cannot somehow reverse the Patent Office’s extension rejection. The powerful law firm and its client have been lobbying Congress to change the law ever since.

In an amendment that is derisively being called “The Dog Ate My Homework Act,” the House agreed to change the way the 60-day patent extension filing deadline is calculated – just to benefit this one powerful law firm and its client. The Senate takes up the debate this week. If this amendment passes, consumers will pay more and have slower access to generic drugs. Let’s hope Congress leaves the law intact rather than demonstrate that rules can be broken when they are inconvenient to powerful lobbying interests.

More Read

How Healthcare Professionals Can Keep on Top of Stress at Work
NCOA Publishes 10 Senior Scams to Beware
BioPharma Beat: We Want Healthcare at Any Price – Until We Have It
Aspirin
Miami Medicare Fraud Bust Easily Tops July 2010 Net
   

TAGGED:pharmaceuticalsWilmerHale
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

dental care
Importance of Good Dental Care for Health and Confidence
Dental health Specialties
October 2, 2025
AI in Healthcare
AI in Healthcare: Technology is Transforming the Global Landscape
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
October 1, 2025
Choosing the Right Swimwear for Health and Safety
News
September 30, 2025
sports concussions
Concussion In Sports: How Common They Are And What You Need To Know
Infographics
September 28, 2025

You Might also Like

Salesmen in the Operating Room: Whose Best Interest Is at Stake?

April 19, 2013

Antipsychotic Drugs Called Hazardous for the Elderly

August 3, 2011
Medical Negligence
Medical EthicsPolicy & Law

Medical Negligence Solicitors in Dublin: How to Find the Right One

February 20, 2022
Medical Ethics

Medical Ethics: Why I Wouldn’t Write a Prescription

October 8, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?