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The Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act passes.

1984

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Also known as the "Hatch-Waxman Act," this act encourages the pharmaceutical industry to manufacture generic drugs, and establishes the modern system of government generic drug regulation in the United States.

Representative Henry Waxman of California and Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah sponsor the act. One of the major loopholes in the act allows brand-name drug companies to obtain a 30-month patent extension on a drug by suing a generic manufacturer.