Can Anyone Say "Patent?"

Washington Post readers must be wondering after reading an article on a settlement by Abbott labs in a case brought by the Justice Department over promoting its drugs for off-label uses, in which Abbott agreed to pay $1.6 billion. The issue is that the Food and Drug Administration determines the acceptable uses for a drug. While doctors are allowed to prescribe drugs for other uses, the manufacturers are not allowed to promote their own drugs for "off-label" uses.

The Justice Department appar...