A bipartisan Senate bill designed to stop drug companies from manipulating the patent system to block cheaper competitors from the market has been stalled in the debate over drug prices, according to Politico.
Bills by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) would allow the Federal Trade Commission to sue drug companies if they attempt to game the system by duplicating patents or pushing patients onto similar new drugs as the patents of older products expire.
The Congressional Budget Office projected the bill, known as the "Patent thicket" bill, would lower federal spending by $507 million over a decade.
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the bill this summer, but it's been blocked by Democratic senators in an effort to make sure Republican leaders vote on comprehensive drug pricing legislation, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's bill.
Some lawmakers are worried impeachment talks may get in the way of a vote on Ms. Pelosi's bill and want to make sure a bipartisan effort reaches a vote, according to Politico.
Read the full article here.