WASHINGTON - The Senate on Wednesday passed legislation that would reform the Hatch-Waxman Act of 1984 by closing loopholes that have enabled the pharmaceutical industry to delay generic competition by extending exclusive drug patents.

In a 78-21 vote, the Senate approved the Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act (S.812) sponsored by Sens. John Edwards (D-N.C.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine).

While the Washington-based Generic Pharmaceutical Association is thrilled about the legislation, releasing a prepared statement saying the measure has the potential to save consumers $60 billion in health care costs, the biologics and drug industry sees it differently.

Carl Feldbaum, president of the Washington-based Biotechnology Industry Organization, released a prepared statement saying, "It's difficult to understand why the Senate sees an attack on American patents as an appropriate alternative to passage of a Medicare prescription drug coverage plan. Today's Senate posturing, were it ever to be enacted, would only hurt the patients it claims to assist. The sad fact is that American seniors are left once again with no Medicare prescription drug coverage while the linchpin of American research and development, the patent system, is put under attack."

The House has not acted on the legislation. - Kim Coghill