Blue Dogs Endorse Bipartisan Bill to Lower Drug Costs

Today, the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition endorsed the Lower Drug Costs Through Competition Act, which was introduced by Blue Dog Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-OR) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) last week.

"The drug market clearly needs healthy competition, to protect American families from price hikes," said Rep. Henry Cuellar, Co-Chair for Communications of the Blue Dog Coalition. "This bill eliminates barriers to get needed generic drugs through FDA review, meaning more options and lower prices for patients. That is good news for all Americans – especially those with rare illnesses, chronic or long-term conditions requiring regular medication, and those who care for them."

"All of these recent dramatic price hikes we've seen – many of them notably on life saving drugs – are unconscionable," said Rep. Schrader. "It's our job to demand change when you have hedge fund managers inserting themselves into an area just to make a profit. My bill will create a system to bring prices down and keep these unscrupulous actors in check."

The bill would accomplish these aims by requiring the FDA to prioritize action on generic drugs that have no comparable generic competition on the market already, or when there is a shortage of a drug. The addition of generic drug options to compete with brand-name options will lower prices and protect consumers from sudden hikes.

The bill would also create a Priority Review Voucher system for new generic drugs with high development costs or a small patient population, requiring action from the FDA within six months – much faster than the current average of 15 months.