Push to Address High Drug Prices Could Table Cure Act

The future of the 21st Century Cure Act, which includes funds for medical research and aims to speed up the US Food and Drug Administration’s drug approval process, is up in the air following a recent push from patient advocacy and union groups to hold the bill until next year, according to reports. Supporters of the measure, which passed the US House of Representatives last year but has yet to go to the floor of the US Senate, were hoping for action on the bill during the lame duck session.

At issue is whether the bill should address rising pharmaceutical costs.

“Moving forward with this legislation now would be a missed opportunity to address unaffordable prescription drug prices,” the Center for American Progress, the AFL-CIO, and other groups, wrote in an open letter to Congress. “There is no justification for moving forward with legislation that provides substantial benefits to the drug industry without asking for something in return.”

Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee issued a statement agreeing that the 21st Century Cure Act “must include” measures addressing rising pharmaceutical prices.

However, Ellie Dehoney, vice president of policy and advocacy at Research America, argued against tabling the bill. “We don’t have the luxury of time,” she said in a Modern Healthcare report. “If we can do this, do this. More talking about it doesn’t serve a single patient.”

It was unknown whether Republicans would agree to hold off on the bill or amend it to address high drug costs when they return to Washington, DC. According to recent reports, in September Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) called the 21st Century Cure Act a top priority and House Speaker Paul Ryan deemed it an “important key” initiative. 

When Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee were asked recently if they would consider including policies addressing high drug costs in the measure, they responded that they were working on the bill.

“We’re proud that the original 21st Century Cures Act that passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support would deliver safe and affordable cures—and we continue working closely by the day with our House and Senate Republicans and Democrats counterparts, as well as the White House, to ensure the final package achieves these important goals,” a committee spokesperson said, according to The Hill. “We are making great progress—and working together, we will follow through in delivering hope.” —Jolynn Tumolo