The Week in Review in Prescription Drug Pricing: Patent Barriers Delay Generic Ozempic in the U.S., Bipartisan Push Targets Pharmacy-PBM Integration, and Tariff Policy Drives Industry Workarounds – Not Lower Prices

Welcome to the Week in Review.

Patent Barriers Delay Generic Ozempic in the U.S.

Generic versions of semaglutide – the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy – are beginning to enter the market in countries such as India and Canada. At the same time, Americans may not see a generic version until at least 2031, and potentially much later. The gap reflects how the U.S. patent system allows manufacturers to layer dozens of additional patents on top of a single drug — delaying competition and extending monopoly pricing. Ozempic can still cost up to $1,000 per month in the U.S., putting it out of reach for many patients. As lower-cost alternatives expand globally, the contrast highlights the need for patent reforms to ensure generics can enter the market sooner and patients aren’t left waiting years longer for affordable options. — [NBC News]

Bipartisan Push Targets Pharmacy-PBM Integration

A bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced legislation this week that would forbid large health care companies that own pharmacy benefit managers, or insurance companies, from directly owning  pharmacies. If passed the bill would give companies a year to sell their pharmacies.  The Patients Before Monopolies Act reflects growing scrutiny of vertically integrated firms like CVS, UnitedHealth, and Cigna, which control key parts of the drug supply chain. The proposal underscores rising frustration in Congress over the complexity and opacity of the system. Following the PBM reforms that passed earlier this year, vertical integration is receiving more scrutiny as a way to lower prices for patients and the system as a whole. — [USA Today, Fierce Healthcare]

Tariff Policy Drives Industry Workarounds – Not Lower Prices

As the Trump administration moves toward potential 100% tariffs on imported drugs, companies are already adjusting – with larger manufacturers better positioned to navigate the policy framework than smaller firms. The early response makes one thing clear: tariffs are reshaping how companies operate, but not addressing the root causes of high drug prices. For patients, the risk is that added costs and disruption will be absorbed into the system–and undoubtedly passed on to themat the pharmacy counter.— [Fierce Pharma, Endpoints News]

ICYMI: Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said this week he would “actively and aggressively” support a most-favored-nation drug pricing policy, pointing to growing bipartisan interest in aligning U.S. prices with those in other countries. His comments come as questions remain about the scope and transparency of the administration’s current MFN deals. Senator Welch is a co-sponsor on an International Reference Price bill with Sen. Hawley (R-MO).

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