(Washington, D.C.) —  The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) issued the following statement on the introduction of the Reforming Evergreening and Manipulation that Extends Drug Years (REMEDY) Act:

“We applaud Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) for introducing the Reforming Evergreening and Manipulation that Extends Drug Years (REMEDY) Act to promote competition in the prescription drug market by limiting tactics used by some drug companies that delay the entrance of generic drugs through multiple late filled patents.

“The bipartisan REMEDY Act would restrict one form of patent gamesmanship by preventing brand manufacturers from extending their monopolies by manipulating court proceedings. Today, some brand drug companies file multiple claims of infringement against different patents on the same product to make it harder for competing manufacturers to bring their products to market. This legislation would put an end to that, allowing the courts to function as intended.

“PBMs support a robust generic and biosimilars market to further increase competition and lower costs for patients and plan sponsors. Addressing egregious patent abuse by some drug companies will provide patients and health plans with the lowest-cost options and lower overall prescription drug costs.”

Learn more about how PBMs are innovating to increase biosimilar use and lower prescription drug costs 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 289 million patients.