Cassidy offers package of bipartisan bills to hasten sales of generic drugs

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) last week introduced three bipartisan bills aimed at quickening commercial sales of generic drugs so that overall drug prices can be reduced. 

“No matter where I go in Louisiana people are always mentioning the high cost of prescription drugs,” Sen. Cassidy said. “To lower the cost of drugs we need to increase competition. Getting generics to market faster increases access and saves money for patients and taxpayers.”

Sen. Cassidy on April 11 sponsored the Reforming Evergreening and Manipulation that Extends Drug Years (REMEDY) Act, S. 1209, with cosponsor U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) to amend the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regarding the patent approvals of abbreviated new drug applications, according to the text of the bill. 

If enacted, S. 1209 would remove legal barriers that delay the market entry of generic drugs by allowing generic manufacturers to enter the market based on their assessment of the secondary patent and the risk of legal action by the brand manufacturer after its patent and all exclusivities expire, according to a summary of the bill provided by Sen. Cassidy.

“The REMEDY Act will increase competition and help reduce drug costs by curbing patent manipulation by brand name drug makers,” said Sen. Durbin. “This common sense bipartisan legislation is overdue, and I hope my colleagues will join Senator Cassidy and me in supporting it.”  

Also on April 11, Sen. Cassidy cosponsored the Protecting Access to Biosimilars Act of 2019, S. 1140, with lead bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) to amend federal law regarding licensing for biological products, according to the text of the bill.

If enacted, S. 1140 would hasten commercial sales of less expensive insulin by ensuring current insulin brands do not receive new, extended federal market protections, according to a summary provided by Sen. Cassidy. 

“For the millions of people in the United States who rely on insulin, the medication is not a choice; it’s a matter of survival,” Sen. Smith said. “Our bipartisan bill would do what’s right — promote competition and make sure lower-cost insulin comes to market sooner rather than later.”

Finally, Sen. Cassidy joined two Democrats as original cosponsors of the Ensuring Timely Access to Generics Act of 2019, S. 1169, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO).

Specifically, S. 1169 would bolster capabilities of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fight certain citizen petitions that might be utilized by brand manufacturers to delay the market entry of generic drugs.

For instance, S. 1169 would permit the FDA to reject citizen petitions if the agency thinks that the primary purpose of the petition is to delay the approval of a generic drug application, according to the lawmakers. 

“This bipartisan legislation would lower the cost of care by removing obstacles to increase competition and prevent brand name drug companies from gaming the system,” said Sen. Gardner. “It’s critical we stop bad actors that threaten access to affordable drugs. Addressing this issue will require a multi-faceted, bipartisan approach and I will continue to work alongside my colleagues to help alleviate the financial burden of prescription drug costs.”

All three bills are being considered by the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsCommittee.