Bipartisan senators push for action on drug-pricing measure

A bipartisan pair of senators is pushing for passage of a measure aimed at fighting high drug prices, which is opposed by the pharmaceutical industry.

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) wrote an op-ed in Stat on Friday pushing for passage of their bill, known as the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act. Backers are pushing for the bill to be included in a government funding bill next week, but the bill has faced resistance, particularly from drug companies.

It is aimed at increasing the availability of cheaper generic drugs by cracking down on delay tactics used by pharmaceutical firms.

{mosads}“There is no question that pharmaceutical companies should be compensated for their important work developing lifesaving treatments,” Grassley and Leahy write. “But they should not be allowed to use predatory practices to cling to their patents and delay the development of generics at the expense of their customers.”

“Congress has a straightforward and fully bipartisan chance to actually do something to wind down the upward spiral of drug prices,” the senators add. “Enough talk. It’s time for real action.”

The bill is one of the few possibilities for congressional action on drug prices this year, an area where figures in both parties, including President Trump, have called for action.

Opponents, though, warn that it would lead to frivolous litigation against branded drug companies, something supporters deny.

Backers point to the politically diverse array of cosponsors, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).