Congratulations to President Bush for moving Monday to keep pharmaceutical manufacturers from filing multiple patent-protection lawsuits that can stall cheaper, generic drugs from reaching the market for years.

The move is a bit surprising in that the Bush administration is so closely linked and so often comes down on the side of industry – big oil and agriculture in particular.

&uot;This is another important advancement in the cause of bringing more affordable prescription medicines to our seniors,&uot; the president said in a morning appears in the White House Rose Garden.

Not only that, but it brings more affordable medicine to all consumers.

The multi-billion pharmaceutical industry is the biggest culprit and obstacle to effective health care reform in this country. The president’s move Monday, is a welcome sign that the administration is putting the needs of consumers ahead of those of corporate America.