The low-cost copies will appear eventually, but not as quickly and perhaps not with such low pricetags.

One proposal debated today would expand access to low-cost generic copies of brand-name medicines.

A half-dozen companies have received tentative federal approval to produce low-cost generic copies of Cipro after its patent expires.

The White House today came out in opposition to a separate bipartisan proposal to expand access to low-cost generic copies of brand-name prescription drugs.

A Senate committee last week approved a bill to expand access to low-cost generic copies of brand-name medicines.

Generic drugs are low-cost copies of brand-name drugs whose patents have expired.

The Senate overwhelmingly approved a proposal today to give consumers swifter access to low-cost copies of brand-name prescription drugs.

Separately, the Senate health committee today approved a bill that would give consumers swifter access to generic drugs, the low-cost copies of brand-name prescription medications.

Nor did it measure the effect of generic drugs, the low-cost copies of brand-name products whose patents have expired.

The panel has been looking into the Government's regulation of the generic drug industry, which markets low-cost copies of brand-name drugs.