(Washington, D.C.) — The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association released the following statement today following the U.S. Senate’s passage of legislation sponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) aimed at increasing competition in the prescription drug market.

“PCMA applauds the Senate’s action to advance this critical bipartisan legislation to end anti-competitive practices, such as “patent thickets” that game the patent system, blocking more affordable generic and biosimilar options from entering the prescription drug market. 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. PBMs are stepping up to recommend broad coverage of biosimilars as they become available.

“As Congress seeks to address drug prices, patent abuse legislation should be the top consideration. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office scores eliminating “patent thickets” as saving $1.8 billion. Conversely, the pharma-backed “delinking” policy does absolutely nothing to lower prescription drug costs but would saddle seniors with higher premiums while boosting profits for big drug companies by $10 billion each year.”

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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.