Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RL30756Patent Law and Its Application to thePharmaceutical Industry: An Examination of theDrug Price Competition and Patent TermRestoration Act of 1984 (The Hatch-Waxman Act)Updated January 10, 2005Wendy H. SchachtSpecialist in Science and TechnologyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionJohn R. ThomasVisiting Scholar in Economic Growth and EntrepreneurshipResources, Science, and Industry Division