Critical Bipartisan Measures Cut Would Have Lowered Drug Prices For Americans And Saved Taxpayers Billions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now expresses deep disappointment and frustration over the failure to include key drug pricing reforms in the end-of-year continuing resolution (CR) despite strong bipartisan support. These vital reforms became collateral damage when they were cut from the proposed package that was released earlier in the week, as political maneuvering and powerful outside interests took priority over patient needs.
In the past two days, patients have sent over 1,000 letters urging House Republicans to uphold their commitment to the American people and prioritize the drug pricing reforms in the original CR package.
“These critical reforms had strong bipartisan support, saved taxpayers billions of dollars, and would have delivered real relief for patients,” said Merith Basey, Executive Director of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “Leaving these bills out of the end-of-year package means that Americans will continue to pay the highest drug prices in the world. Regrettably, politics and powerful outside interests took precedence over the needs of patients.
“But this setback will not deter us. P4ADNow will continue to mobilize patients, hold lawmakers accountable, and fight for system-changing reforms that will lower drug prices for all. Lawmakers have a chance to make this right during the next Congress and the incoming Trump Administration by passing these bills into law. Nine out of 10 Americans demand it.”
The reforms cut from the CR include:
“This decision feels like a betrayal to millions of patients who spoke out, hoping to rein in an industry that has always put profits first,” said Jacquie Persson, a patient advocate from Cedar Falls, Iowa who struggles to afford the medication for her Crohn’s disease. “It’s disheartening to see industry interests prioritized over the well-being of people once again. We won’t stop fighting until Big Pharma is held accountable and patients can access the affordable, life-saving medications they need and deserve.”
The exclusion of these measures means the next opportunity to pass them will be during the next Congress – a timeline that delays relief for millions of people with high drug costs. Despite this setback, P4ADNow is committed to its mission to lower drug prices for patients and continuing its advocacy:
Partnering with allies to hold lawmakers accountable and keep drug pricing reform at the forefront of legislative priorities.
Mobilizing patient advocates to demand the passage of these reforms during the next Congress.
Building on the momentum of 42,000 letters and 31,000 calls to Congress, urging bipartisan action on these bills.
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Patients For Affordable Drugs Now, is the only national, patient advocacy organization focused exclusively on policies to lower drug prices. We empower and mobilize patients and allies, hold accountable those in power, and fight to shape and achieve system-changing policies that make prescription drugs affordable for all people in the United States. P4ADNow is bipartisan and does not accept funding from organizations that profit from the development or distribution of prescription drugs. To learn more visit; PatientsForAffordableDrugsNOW.org.
Patient Advocacy Drives Progress On Patent Reform, Generic Drug Access, And PBM Accountability To Lower Drug Prices For Patients
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now (P4ADNow) is pleased to see critical drug pricing reforms included in the health care package attached to the continuing resolution (CR) released today. These measures are a significant step towards lowering prescription drug prices for millions of Americans by tackling Big Pharma’s patent abuses, enabling generic competition, and reforming the drug supply chain.
The CR includes:
– S.150, the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act: which limits the number of patents pharmaceutical companies can assert on biologics, clearing the path for earlier entry of lower-cost biosimilars into the market. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates this reform could save taxpayers $1.8 billion over 10 years.
– Q1/Q2, a provision of the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act: addresses a critical barrier to generic drug approvals by requiring the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide clearer guidance on ingredient differences, saving generic manufacturers time and money in bringing affordable alternatives to market. The CBO estimates this reform would save taxpayers $871 million over 10 years.
– S.2973, the Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act: would delink pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) revenue from drug prices in Medicare Part D, curbing incentives that lead PBMs to steer patients toward more expensive prescription drugs, and would require PBMs to report on drug pricing and other information to Part D plan sponsors.
“The inclusion of these bills is an important step toward reforming the whole U.S. drug price system which has been rigged against patients. These reforms are critical to further lowering drug prices for all and signal that Congress listened to patients and an overwhelming majority of Americans who have been calling for further action to address the root causes of high drug costs,” said Merith Basey, Executive Director of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “We commend the bipartisan leaders who championed these measures and the patients who continue to drive forward the change they deserve. Now, Congress must act swiftly to make these reforms law and deliver meaningful relief to those struggling to afford their medications.”
In July 2023, P4ADNow launched the “Push for Competition to Lower Drug Prices” campaign, which highlighted the harmful impact of Big Pharma’s anti-competitive practices. The campaign included digital ads, an online advocacy hub, as well as videos urging Congress to pass bipartisan bills, including S. 150 and Q1/Q2, to promote generic and biosimilar competition. Over the last nearly 18 months, key efforts by patients and advocates have included:
– Nearly 42,000 letters were sent to Congress urging action on these bipartisan patent reform bills. In the final week leading up to the CR’s passage, over 4,500 letters were sent to push for the inclusion of S.150.
– Since the launch of the campaign, advocates have made more than 31,000 calls to Congressional offices to encourage the passage of these reforms.
– Nine patient advocates have flown to Washington, D.C. to meet directly with lawmakers, sharing their struggles with high drug prices and urging them to act on these bills.
– Patients have shared their stories through interviews, press conferences, on Hill panels, and in op-eds, and in news outlets nationwide.
– P4ADNow sent multiple letters, alongside allies like AARP, CSRxP, The ERISA Industry Committee, The National MS Society, and Purchaser Business Group on Health, in support of S. 150 and other reform bills.
Additionally, in May, David Mitchell, Founder and President of P4ADNow and himself a patient with an incurable rare cancer, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee. His testimony emphasized how Big Pharma’s anti-competitive practices harm patients and taxpayers, and urged Congress to act on a bipartisan package of reforms – including some provisions included today. These changes would realign incentives to spur true innovation while ensuring timely market entry for generics and biosimilars to lower prices.
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Patients For Affordable Drugs Now, is the only national, patient advocacy organization focused exclusively on policies to lower drug prices. We empower and mobilize patients and allies, hold accountable those in power, and fight to shape and achieve system-changing policies that make prescription drugs affordable for all people in the United States. P4ADNow is bipartisan and does not accept funding from organizations that profit from the development or distribution of prescription drugs. To learn more visit; PatientsForAffordableDrugsNOW.org.
P4ADNow Will Press To Keep The PREVAIL Act, Which Narrowly Cleared Committee, From A Vote On The Senate Floor
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now is disappointed to see the Senate Judiciary Committee advance a patent bill that would harm patients: S. 2220 the PREVAIL Act. If enacted into law, the bill would weaken mechanisms to challenge potentially invalid patents and undermine existing checks on the pharmaceutical industry’s power, further limiting competition from less expensive generics and biosimilars. This would result in higher drug prices, putting more essential medications out of reach for patients nationwide.
The bill cleared the Committee on a razor-thin vote of 11 to 10, with several senators who supported its passage expressing significant reservations about the potential negative impact on patients and drug prices. Several Yes votes also indicated they would be uncomfortable supporting the bill in its current form if it was brought to the floor.
Merith Basey, Executive Director of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now released the following statement:
“Today’s markup of the PREVAIL Act is a step backward for patients. At a time when three in ten Americans struggle to afford their prescribed medications and over 20 percent have fallen into debt or bankruptcy due to healthcare costs, this bill would extend drug monopolies, stifle competition from cheaper generic and biosimilar drugs, and ultimately keep drug prices artificially high for millions of Americans.
“While amendments made to the legislation in committee attempt to resolve concerns, they barely scratch the surface of fixing the bill’s fundamental flaws. We believe that is why several Senators who voted yes today did not commit to supporting the bill on the Senate floor.
“The Inflation Reduction Act lowered drug prices for millions of Americans. PREVAIL could undermine those gains and take us in the opposite direction keeping drug prices high, and enabling drug companies to raise them further. We urge the full Senate to reject PREVAIL and instead focus on the bipartisan patent reform policies currently in Congress that will increase competition and lower drug prices for all Americans.”
BACKGROUND
The Senate has already unanimously passed an amended version of S. 150. These Senate bills are estimated to save taxpayers $4.5 billion over the next 10 years.
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Patients for Affordable Drugs Now, is the only national, patient advocacy organization focused exclusively on policies to lower drug prices. We empower and mobilize patients and allies, hold accountable those in power, and fight to shape and achieve system-changing policies that make prescription drugs affordable for all people in the United States. P4ADNow is bipartisan and does not accept funding from organizations that profit from the development or distribution of prescription drugs. To learn more visit PatientsForAffordableDrugsNOW.org.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following the U.S. Presidential Election being called for Former President Donald Trump, David Mitchell, Founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now, issued the following statement:
“Patients For Affordable Drugs Now remains unwavering in our mission to lower drug prices for millions of Americans and we are ready to work with President-Elect Trump and the new Congress to make prescription drugs more affordable for those facing crushing costs.
“Even with the sweeping reforms ushered in under the Biden-Harris administration, one in three Americans still can’t afford their prescription drugs, and nine in ten agree that lowering drug prices should be a top priority for our elected leaders. On behalf of patients across all 50 states, we are committed to working with the Trump-Vance administration and the new Congress to expand on the gains made in recent years to lower drug prices and continue to deliver meaningful relief to patients.
“Previously, President-Elect Trump voiced support for allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices and implementing the ‘Most Favored Nation’ model to prevent Americans from paying more than the average prices people in other countries pay for the same medications. We are hopeful that the new administration will return to these commitments or bring forward other approaches we can help enact to build upon the progress achieved in recent years.
“The Inflation Reduction Act was the most significant step forward in lowering prescription drug prices in two decades. On behalf of the patients we represent, we will vigorously defend the landmark drug pricing law against any attempts to roll back these hard-won reforms – whether through administrative action, legislation, or litigation.
“As a bipartisan organization, we know that lowering drug prices isn’t a Democratic or Republican issue – the pain of high drug prices is not limited to a single party. More than 80 percent of Americans support the principal reforms we champion. We will bring our voices to bear to keep what we have won. But we will support the new administration as it works to rein in the unchecked pricing power of drug companies, the practices of PBMs that put profits ahead of patients, and make prescription drugs affordable for every person in the U.S.”
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Patients for Affordable Drugs Now, is the only national, patient advocacy organization focused exclusively on policies to lower drug prices. We empower and mobilize patients and allies, hold accountable those in power, and fight to shape and achieve system-changing policies that make prescription drugs affordable for all people in the United States. P4ADNow is bipartisan and does not accept funding from organizations that profit from the development or distribution of prescription drugs. To learn more visit PatientsForAffordableDrugsNOW.org.
Retired Nurse Judy Aiken Highlighted Her Lived-Experience With High Drug Prices, Shared How The Out-of-Pocket Cap And Medicare Negotiation Feels Like A “Lifeline”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Judy Aiken, a retired nurse and P4ADNOW patient advocate from Portland, Maine testified today before the Senate Finance Committee at a hearing titled “Lower Health Care Costs for Americans: Understanding the Benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act” about the relief being delivered to patients via the drug price reforms in the historic Inflation Reduction Act.
Judy, who has battled psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis for over four decades, emphasized how the drug price law has already reined in her soaring out-of-pocket costs; Prior to the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Judy paid more than $9,000 out-of-pocket in a single year for Enbrel alone.The Inflation Reduction Act’s out-of-pocket cap reduced her prescription drug costs to about $3,300 in 2024 — nearly a third of what she paid last year. In 2025, her annual out-of-pocket expenses will be capped at $2,000.Judy also highlighted the additional relief she will experience beginning in 2026 thanks to the historic Medicare negotiation program, which for the first time in two decades allows Medicare to negotiate some of the costliest and most common drugs covered by Medicare; Enbrel, one of her prescribed medications, is among the first 10 drugs selected for negotiation.Starting in 2026, Enbrel’s negotiated price will be $2,355 per month, a 67 percent reduction from its current monthly list price.As someone who has worked as a nurse for four decades, Judy knows firsthand the importance of adhering to a consistent medication regimen. “But the cruel irony is that I’ve sometimes found myself skipping doses, unable to follow my own advice due to the prohibitive cost,” Judy shared in her testimony.
But now, the drug price reforms are lessening the financial strain of high-cost prescription drugs for millions of patients like Judy. She also shared that, “The impact of these changes cannot be overstated. My husband and I can now breathe easier. We’re addressing those long-postponed home repairs. And we may even be able to take a trip. But most importantly, I no longer have to choose between my health and our financial stability.
This is the real, tangible impact of the Inflation Reduction Act. It’s not just about numbers on a page or political talking points. It’s about people – seniors like me, who have worked hard their whole lives, and who can now afford the medications we need to live healthier, more productive lives with dignity.”
FIND JUDY’S FULL TESTIMONY BELOW:
Chairman Wyden, Ranking Member Crapo, Committee Members
Thank you for inviting me to share my story today.
I’m Judy Aiken – a 70-year-old retired nurse, born and raised in Portland, Maine, where I live with my husband of 47 years.
I have been battling psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis for over four decades. These conditions have taken a heavy toll on my body, but the financial strain of the medications I need has been equally challenging.
Seventeen years ago, my doctor prescribed Enbrel to manage my condition. It’s been a lifeline, but one with a staggering price tag. Since its introduction 26 years ago, Enbrel’s price has skyrocketed by more than 700 percent. Today, it is priced at $7,106 for a 30-day supply.
Last year alone, I paid over $9,000 out-of-pocket just for this one medication. The cost was overwhelming. As a nurse, I spent years counseling patients on the importance of taking their medications consistently. But the cruel irony is that I’ve sometimes found myself skipping doses, unable to follow my own advice due to the prohibitive cost.
Every trip to the pharmacy was a source of anxiety. How much would it cost this time? Could we afford it? What else would we have to sacrifice? My husband and I were constantly juggling our budget – we postponed home repairs and stopped going out to eat.
Then came the Inflation Reduction Act, and with it, a glimmer of hope.
This year, I braced for another 12 months of expensive pharmacy visits. But after paying $2,150 in January and $1,141 in February, a real shock came in March. I went to pick up my prescription and discovered my out-of-pocket cost would be $0 for the rest of the year. I nearly cried at the pharmacy counter. Even after advocating for the passage of the drug price reforms in the Inflation Reduction Act, I was skeptical it would actually benefit me. But it has, and this year my out-of-pocket costs have been capped at $3,300.
And there’s more relief on the horizon. Next year, the out-of-pocket limit will drop further, capping at $2,000 for everyone on Medicare Part D. For patients like me who rely on expensive medications, this is truly life-changing.
But that’s not the only IRA provision that I will benefit from. Enbrel was one of the first 10 drugs selected for Medicare price negotiation. After the inaugural round of negotiated prices were released in August, I learned that beginning in 2026, Enbrel’s price will be reduced to $2,355 per month – a 67 percent reduction.
These lower negotiated prices come after decades of advocacy from patients like me and represent the first time in Medicare’s history that the program has directly negotiated drug prices with pharmaceutical corporations. These 10 drugs cover treatments for common conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and blood clots, and the roughly nine million patients on Medicare who take at least one of these drugs are projected to save $1.5 billion out of pocket in 2026 alone.
It’s important to note that the out-of-pocket savings are made possible by lowering the prices. We cannot do one without the other.
The impact of these changes cannot be overstated. My husband and I can now breathe easier. We’re addressing those long-postponed home repairs. And we may even be able to take a trip. But most importantly, I no longer have to choose between my health and our financial stability.
This is the real, tangible impact of the Inflation Reduction Act. It’s not just about numbers on a page or political talking points. It’s about people – seniors like me, who have worked hard their whole lives, and who can now afford the medications we need to live healthier, more productive lives with dignity.
The IRA demonstrates that when our elected leaders take action, real change is possible. While there’s still work to be done to make prescription drugs affordable for all Americans, this is a huge step in the right direction.
I urge you to continue supporting and strengthening these life-saving reforms. They are making a real difference in the lives of millions of American patients.
Thank you for your time and attention to this crucial issue. I look forward to answering your questions.
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Patients for Affordable Drugs Now, is the only national, patient advocacy organization focused exclusively on policies to lower drug prices. We empower and mobilize patients and allies, hold accountable those in power, and fight to shape and achieve system-changing policies that make prescription drugs affordable for all people in the United States. P4ADNow is bipartisan and does not accept funding from organizations that profit from the development or distribution of prescription drugs. To learn more visit PatientsForAffordableDrugsNOW.org.
Retired Nurse Judy Aiken Highlighted Her Lived-Experience With High Drug Prices, Shared How The Out-of-Pocket Cap And Medicare Negotiation Feels Like A “Lifeline”
| WASHINGTON, D.C. — Judy Aiken, a retired nurse and P4ADNOW patient advocate from Portland, Maine testified today before the Senate Finance Committee at a hearing titled “Lower Health Care Costs for Americans: Understanding the Benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act” about the relief being delivered to patients via the drug price reforms in the historic Inflation Reduction Act. Judy, who has battled psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis for over four decades, emphasized how the drug price law has already reined in her soaring out-of-pocket costs;Prior to the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Judy paid more than $9,000 out-of-pocket in a single year for Enbrel alone.The Inflation Reduction Act’s out-of-pocket cap reduced her prescription drug costs to about $3,300 in 2024 — nearly a third of what she paid last year.In 2025, her annual out-of-pocket expenses will be capped at $2,000.Judy also highlighted the additional relief she will experience beginning in 2026 thanks to the historic Medicare negotiation program, which for the first time in two decades allows Medicare to negotiate some of the costliest and most common drugs covered by Medicare; Enbrel, one of her prescribed medications, is among the first 10 drugs selected for negotiation.Starting in 2026, Enbrel’s negotiated price will be $2,355 per month, a 67 percent reduction from its current monthly list price.As someone who has worked as a nurse for four decades, Judy knows firsthand the importance of adhering to a consistent medication regimen. “But the cruel irony is that I’ve sometimes found myself skipping doses, unable to follow my own advice due to the prohibitive cost,” Judy shared in her testimony. But now, the drug price reforms are lessening the financial strain of high-cost prescription drugs for millions of patients like Judy. She also shared that, “The impact of these changes cannot be overstated. My husband and I can now breathe easier. We’re addressing those long-postponed home repairs. And we may even be able to take a trip. But most importantly, I no longer have to choose between my health and our financial stability. This is the real, tangible impact of the Inflation Reduction Act. It’s not just about numbers on a page or political talking points. It’s about people – seniors like me, who have worked hard their whole lives, and who can now afford the medications we need to live healthier, more productive lives with dignity.” |
| FIND JUDY’S FULL TESTIMONY BELOW: Chairman Wyden, Ranking Member Crapo, Committee Members Thank you for inviting me to share my story today. I’m Judy Aiken – a 70-year-old retired nurse, born and raised in Portland, Maine, where I live with my husband of 47 years. I have been battling psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis for over four decades. These conditions have taken a heavy toll on my body, but the financial strain of the medications I need has been equally challenging. Seventeen years ago, my doctor prescribed Enbrel to manage my condition. It’s been a lifeline, but one with a staggering price tag. Since its introduction 26 years ago, Enbrel’s price has skyrocketed by more than 700 percent. Today, it is priced at $7,106 for a 30-day supply. Last year alone, I paid over $9,000 out-of-pocket just for this one medication. The cost was overwhelming. As a nurse, I spent years counseling patients on the importance of taking their medications consistently. But the cruel irony is that I’ve sometimes found myself skipping doses, unable to follow my own advice due to the prohibitive cost. Every trip to the pharmacy was a source of anxiety. How much would it cost this time? Could we afford it? What else would we have to sacrifice? My husband and I were constantly juggling our budget – we postponed home repairs and stopped going out to eat. Then came the Inflation Reduction Act, and with it, a glimmer of hope. This year, I braced for another 12 months of expensive pharmacy visits. But after paying $2,150 in January and $1,141 in February, a real shock came in March. I went to pick up my prescription and discovered my out-of-pocket cost would be $0 for the rest of the year. I nearly cried at the pharmacy counter. Even after advocating for the passage of the drug price reforms in the Inflation Reduction Act, I was skeptical it would actually benefit me. But it has, and this year my out-of-pocket costs have been capped at $3,300. And there’s more relief on the horizon. Next year, the out-of-pocket limit will drop further, capping at $2,000 for everyone on Medicare Part D. For patients like me who rely on expensive medications, this is truly life-changing. But that’s not the only IRA provision that I will benefit from. Enbrel was one of the first 10 drugs selected for Medicare price negotiation. After the inaugural round of negotiated prices were released in August, I learned that beginning in 2026, Enbrel’s price will be reduced to $2,355 per month – a 67 percent reduction. These lower negotiated prices come after decades of advocacy from patients like me and represent the first time in Medicare’s history that the program has directly negotiated drug prices with pharmaceutical corporations. These 10 drugs cover treatments for common conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and blood clots, and the roughly nine million patients on Medicare who take at least one of these drugs are projected to save $1.5 billion out of pocket in 2026 alone. It’s important to note that the out-of-pocket savings are made possible by lowering the prices. We cannot do one without the other. The impact of these changes cannot be overstated. My husband and I can now breathe easier. We’re addressing those long-postponed home repairs. And we may even be able to take a trip. But most importantly, I no longer have to choose between my health and our financial stability. This is the real, tangible impact of the Inflation Reduction Act. It’s not just about numbers on a page or political talking points. It’s about people – seniors like me, who have worked hard their whole lives, and who can now afford the medications we need to live healthier, more productive lives with dignity. The IRA demonstrates that when our elected leaders take action, real change is possible. While there’s still work to be done to make prescription drugs affordable for all Americans, this is a huge step in the right direction. I urge you to continue supporting and strengthening these life-saving reforms. They are making a real difference in the lives of millions of American patients. Thank you for your time and attention to this crucial issue. I look forward to answering your questions. |
| ### Patients for Affordable Drugs Now, is the only national, patient advocacy organization focused exclusively on policies to lower drug prices. We empower and mobilize patients and allies, hold accountable those in power, and fight to shape and achieve system-changing policies that make prescription drugs affordable for all people in the United States. P4ADNow is bipartisan and does not accept funding from organizations that profit from the development or distribution of prescription drugs. To learn more visit PatientsForAffordableDrugsNOW.org. |
Patients For Affordable Drugs NOW Steps Up Push For Competition to Lower Drug Prices Including Six-Figure Ad Campaign
Ads, Letters, Lobby Day in Coming Weeks Urge Congress To Pass Bills To Boost Competition and Reform Patent Law To Lower Drug Prices
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now (P4ADNow) has launched a six-figure ad campaign to urge Congress to pass a package of bipartisan bills that crack down on the drug industry’s anti-competitive practices in order to lower prescription drug prices for patients. The ads are the latest effort in P4ADNow’s continued “Push For Competition To Lower Drug Prices”, focusing on reforming patent laws and closing regulatory loopholes to promote generic and biosimilar competition and curbing anti-competitive tactics that allow drug companies to keep prices high by extending unwarranted monopolies on life-saving medications.
The campaign, which includes a combination of video, audio, and static ads, are running on digital and social media platforms and features Lisa McRipley, a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS), whose vital medications have a price of nearly $7,500 each month, and Jacqueline Garibay, a patient who lives with ankylosing spondylitis, an autoimmune disorder, and has had to go without her medication at times because of the $6,000 per month cost. View Lisa’s ad here.
“Patients like Lisa and Jacqueline are struggling to afford the medications they depend on because drug companies have been manipulating the patent system for decades to maintain their monopoly power and keep prices high,” said Merith Basey, Executive Director of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “Legislators can act during this Congress to pass this package of bipartisan legislation to increase competition and curb pharma’s abusive practices to ensure that affordable generics and biosimilars can enter the market, lower prices, and begin to bring overdue relief to patients.
“Lowering drug prices isn’t just a policy priority – it’s a public mandate. Patients, consumers, and taxpayers are calling for action – with 9 in 10 voters saying Congress should prioritize policies to lower drug prices. Congress has the power and the bipartisan support to pass these competition bills and make medications more affordable for all Americans. It’s high time we curb drug companies’ abusive practices – Congress can get it done this year.”
Anti-competitive practices in the pharmaceutical industry including patent thicketing, pay-for-delay agreements, and product hopping, have led to inflated drug prices, costing patients and taxpayers billions. When generic or biosimilar versions enter the market, prices can fall dramatically – by nearly 40 percent when there is one additional competitor and 85-95 percent when there are six or more competitors.
In 2023, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed several bipartisan bills to improve competition in the prescription drug market and in July this year, the Senate unanimously passed the amended Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2023 (S.150) – which targeted the pharmaceutical industry’s use of patent thickets.
The House now has the chance to build on that momentum. By advancing additional bipartisan competition bills, including H.R. 9070 and H.R. 6986, Congress can bring relief to patients like Lisa, Jacqueline, and millions of others burdened by excessive drug costs. These bills are projected to save taxpayers more than $4.5 billion over the next ten years.
BACKGROUND
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Patients for Affordable Drugs NOW, is the only national, bipartisan patient advocacy organization focused exclusively on policies to lower drug prices. We empower and mobilize patients and allies, hold accountable those in power, and fight to shape and achieve system-changing policies that make prescription drugs affordable for all people in the United States. P4ADNOW does not accept funding from organizations that profit from the development or distribution of prescription drugs. To learn more visit PatientsForAffordableDrugsNOW.org.
P4ADNow Applauds Unanimous Senate Passage Of Bill To Curb Patent Thicketing, Urges Swift House Action To Lower Drug Prices
Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2023 Will Increase Competition And Drive Down Prices Of Rx Drugs For All Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a major step forward for patients and consumers, the U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2023 (S-150), to curb abuses of the patent system by tackling Big Pharma’s patent thicketing of biologics to increase competition in the drug market and lower prescription drug prices for millions of Americans of all ages.
Patients For Affordable Drugs Now (P4ADNow) hailed the unanimous Senate passage of S-150 as significant progress toward ensuring all Americans can access the drugs they need at prices they can afford. The organization launched its push for competition to lower drug prices in July 2023 by uplifting the voices of thousands of patients who are calling for reforms from Congress to curb drug companies patent abuses that extend their monopolies to block generic and biosimilar competition.
“Today’s Senate action is another important victory for patients that can pave the way for House action and full Congressional passage of this bipartisan bill this year,”said Merith Basey, Executive Director of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “This bill begins to strike at the heart of Big Pharma’s patent abuses that have kept U.S. drug prices artificially high for far too long. The overwhelming bipartisan support for this reform through unanimous consent proves that when patients demand change, our legislators listen. We are grateful to the tireless advocacy from thousands of patients, their families, and allies as well asSenators Cornyn and Blumenthal for their leadership and Senators from both parties who stood against pharmaceutical industry pressure and voted to put patients first.”
“Today’s Senate action has brought us closer to tangible savings for all Americans at the pharmacy counter. And now our message to the House is clear: let’s finish the job. We are continuing to mobilize patient advocates to ensure S-150 becomes law. Americans pay the highest prices in the world for their medications and are counting on swift, decisive action by the House of Representatives to lower their drug costs.”
Today’s bipartisan victory in the Senate was only achieved because of patient advocates who shared their lived experiences, making it possible to reach policymakers in Washington. Patients sent over 27,000 letters and made over 30,000 calls to Congressional offices demanding legislators to pass a package of bills to rein in pharmaceutical patent abuses and ensure patients get the drugs they need at prices they can afford.
“Accessing the medications that I need, at the quantities that I need them, could become easier and more affordable if more competition was allowed to enter the market,” said Jacquie Persson, a patient advocate from Waterloo, Iowa who struggles to afford the medication she needs to manage her Crohn’s disease. “I wouldn’t have to ration or stress about prior authorization approvals if I had access to more affordable options with the same result.”
P4ADNow extends its gratitude to the lead sponsors and key supporters of this crucial legislation, including Senators Cornyn and Blumenthal for their leadership on the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2023. We also commend Senators Klobuchar and Grassley for their tireless efforts in pushing for drug pricing reform. Additionally, we recognize Senator Durbin for his continued advocacy and for holding the May Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Big Pharma’s anti-competitive tactics and Senator Graham for his vocal support during the hearing where he emphasized the need to bring these bills to the floor for a vote.
BACKGROUND
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Patients for Affordable Drugs NOW, is the only national, bipartisan patient advocacy organization focused exclusively on policies to lower drug prices. We empower and mobilize patients and allies, hold accountable those in power, and fight to shape and achieve system-changing policies that make prescription drugs affordable for all people in the United States. P4ADNOW does not accept funding from organizations that profit from the development or distribution of prescription drugs. To learn more visit PatientsForAffordableDrugsNOW.org.