Gluesenkamp Perez, Casten, Connolly Introduce Bill to Support Access to Lower-Priced Generic Drugs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), along with Reps. Sean Casten (IL-06) and Gerry Connolly (VA-11), introduced the Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2023, a bill to support access to lower-priced generic prescription drugs.

To limit competition and reap above-market profits longer, name-brand drug manufacturers use “Pay-for-Delay” patent settlements that pay generic manufacturers to stay out of the market. These tactics can hurt consumers, businesses, and insurers – and Americans pay between $6.2 billion and $37 billion in excess costs yearly as a result.

The Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act will end harmful Pay-for-Delay practices and provide the FTC with enforcement authority. This will ensure people can access lower-priced generic drugs, protect consumer choice, and promote competition, innovation, and transparency across the market.

“Big Pharma shouldn’t be able to limit peoples’ access to low-priced, life-improving generic drugs for the sake of corporate profit. It’s already hard enough for folks to access affordable prescriptions without anticompetitive meddling – especially in rural communities,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “I’m introducing the Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act so families across Southwest Washington can save money and have more choices when they fill their prescriptions.”

“It is unconscionable that drug companies take advantage of hard-working Americans by enabling sky-high prices,” said Rep. Casten. “The pay-for-delay practice limits competition and forces folks to pay more for the medications they need. I’m proud to support this bill that allows for consumers to access affordable medication and creates a more robust generic drug market.”

“It’s time we put an end to the harmful pay-for-delay practice,” said Rep. Connolly. “This important legislation builds on the progress made in the Inflation Reduction Act to drive down prices and ensure Americans can afford the medications they need. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing it today.”

A summary of the legislation is available here.