The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued an interim report on the impact of authorized generic drugs on competition in the prescription drug marketplace. Authorized generics are drugs sold by a pharmaceutical manufacturer under both a brand-name and generic label. In short, the FTC found that retail drug prices average 4.2% lower when authorized generics are marketed against a single generic drug during the 180-day marketing exclusivity period than when they are not. Authorized generic entry during this period also reduces the revenues of a first-filer generic firm by 47% to 51% – much greater than the price decline for consumers. To prevent this loss of revenue, generic firms may agree to delay entry in return for a brand manufacturer’s agreement not to launch an authorized generic during the 180-day marketing exclusivity period. According to the report, between fiscal years 2004-08, about 25% of the final patent settlements reviewed by the FTC contained provisions related to authorized generics.