DRUGS Act

Domain Reform for Unlawful Drug Sellers Act or the DRUGS Act

This bill requires a website domain name registrar (or registry operator) to take down a domain name under the registrar's control upon receiving an eligible notification that the domain name is facilitating illegal online drug sales.

Upon receiving an eligible notification, the registrar must lock the domain name within 24 hours and suspend the domain name within seven days.

An eligible notification must come from a trusted notifier and include certain information, such as a summary of the alleged illegal activities and a statement that the evidence supporting the allegations is available to be shared with the registrar. The bill defines trusted notifiers as (1) certain government agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration or the office of a state attorney general; and (2) qualifying private or nonprofit entities given such status by specified government agencies.

The registrant of the affected domain name may appeal a lock or suspension by providing the trusted notifier with information to establish that the registrant's drug sales are legal, such as pharmacy licenses and the licensing information of the prescribing medical practitioners, if applicable.

The trusted notifier must conduct a reasonable investigation and consider the information provided by the registrant. If the appeal is successful, the registrar must reverse the lock and suspension within 15 days. The domain name must remain locked and suspended while the appeal is pending.

The Drugs Act, also known as Bill 117 HR 6352, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to address the issue of drug pricing and access to affordable medications for Americans.

One key provision of the Drugs Act is the establishment of a Drug Price Review Board, which would be responsible for reviewing and setting prices for certain prescription drugs. This board would aim to ensure that drug prices are fair and reasonable, and that Americans have access to the medications they need at an affordable cost.

Additionally, the Drugs Act includes measures to increase transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. This would involve requiring drug manufacturers to disclose information about their pricing practices, as well as any financial assistance programs they offer to help patients afford their medications. Another important aspect of the Drugs Act is its focus on promoting competition in the pharmaceutical market. The bill includes provisions to encourage the development of generic and biosimilar drugs, which can help drive down prices and increase access to affordable medications for consumers. Overall, the Drugs Act is aimed at addressing the issue of high drug prices and ensuring that all Americans have access to the medications they need to stay healthy. It remains to be seen how this legislation will progress through Congress and what impact it may have on the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare system as a whole.