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# Find Ways to Encourage Generic Drug New Uses: Article
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/find-ways-to-encourage-generic-drug-new-uses-article/
- Published: 2017-12-05T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T23:05:29.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5140261

Writing in the *Journal of the American Medical Association*, three researchers say the existing drug patent system is poorly designed to motivate discoveries of new uses for off-patent drugs, and suggest other techniques that could be used. “With the long histories, established safety records, and low prices of generic drugs, these products could be an effective way to improve health outcomes while lowering costs in new indications,” the [article](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2665338?utm%5Fsource=silverchair&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=article%5Falert-jama&utm%5Fcontent=olf&utm%5Fterm=120417) says.

It reviews techniques that could be used outside the patent system to encourage more discovery of new uses, including public funding of research, prizes for discovery, and leveraging existing data.