PCMA Applauds Reintroduction of Bipartisan Solutions to Crack Down on Big Drug Companies’ Patent Abuse

Blumenthal-Cornyn Legislation Would Encourage More Generic and Biosimilar Competition in the Prescription Drug Market to Help Lower Costs for Patients 

(Washington, D.C.) — The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) released the following statement today following the reintroduction of the “Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act” from U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and John Cornyn (R-TX).

“PCMA applauds the reintroduction of this critical bipartisan legislation aimed at ending anti-competitive practices that game the patent system, blocking more affordable generic and biosimilar options from entering the prescription drug market,” said PCMA President and CEO JC Scott. “Promoting greater competition to lower prescription drug costs for patients is fundamental to the mission of pharmacy benefit companies and we look forward to supporting the successful passage of this important measure.”

The “Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act” was previously approved by the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary with strong bipartisan support. The legislation targets two anti-competitive practices utilized by big drug companies to block more affordable generics and biosimilars from market:

  1. Patent Thicketing: A tactic used by big drug companies to seek a multitude of patents for marginal aspects of a drug or changes that do not increase clinical value to create a ‘thicket’ of patents that can dramatically extend exclusivity periods – preventing less expensive generics and biosimilars from coming to market.
  2. Product Hopping: Big drug companies use a practice called “product hopping” to reformulate a product and extend exclusivity with no increase in clinical value for patients.

Read more on how greater biosimilar competition can help lower prescription drug costs for patients HERE.

Learn more about PCMA’s public policy solutions that promote competition in the prescription drug market HERE.

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PCMA is the national association representing America’s pharmacy benefit companies. Pharmacy benefit companies are working every day to secure savings, enable better health outcomes, and support access to quality prescription drug coverage for more than 275 million patients. Learn more at www.pcmanet.org