Issa, Johnson Introduce Landmark Reform to Advance Innovation, Enhance Patient Access, Increase Prescription Affordability

Washington – Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Hank Johnson (GA-04) have introduced the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act – new legislation to address prescription drug costs borne by patients through amending the patent code and increasing competition in the market.

“This legislation is a historic reform to our patent system that will reduce drug costs, unleash medical innovation, and enhance patient access to the treatments they need and deserve. My thanks to Ranking Member Johnson for his partnership on this patient-centered proposal that will provide needed cost relief and a pathway of innovation for American patients,” said Chairman Issa.

“One of the most pressing issues I hear from my constituents in Georgia -- particularly seniors -- is the high cost of their medications,” said Ranking Member Johnson. “I’m pleased to join Chairman Issa in introducing the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Through Improvements to Patent Litigation Act that will make it easier for generics to enter the marketplace faster and more efficiently and thereby make lifesaving drugs more affordable at the pharmacy counter. I look forward to continuing working on finding ways to bring down the cost of prescriptions for all hardworking Americans.”

The Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act places a reasonable cap on the number of patents that manufacturers can contest so that anti-competitive practices are reined in and a better range of new drugs and therapies – including biosimilars – will be more readily available.

A Senate companion of the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act was introduced by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and passed out the Senate on July 10, 2024.

Text of the bill can be found here.