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Prescription Drug Price Relief Act of 2025

6/18/2025, 11:03 AM

Summary of Bill S 1818

This bill introduced in the 119th Congress aims to lower prescription drug prices in the U.S. by eliminating monopolies granted to manufacturers charging prices above international medians.

Congressional Summary of S 1818

Prescription Drug Price Relief Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review brand-name drugs annually for excessive pricing and, if a drug is found to be priced excessively, to void any exclusivity granted to its sponsor.

Specifically, HHS must review all brand-name drug prices at least annually and upon petition. If any such drugs are found to be excessively priced, HHS must (1) void any government-granted exclusivity; (2) issue open, nonexclusive licenses for the drugs; and (3) expedite the review of corresponding applications for generic drugs and biosimilar biological products. HHS must also create a public database with its determinations for each drug.

An entity accepting an open, nonexclusive license under these provisions must pay a reasonable royalty to the holder of the relevant patent or approved new drug application, and must price the generic drug or biosimilar below the excessive rate.

Under the bill, a price is considered excessive if the domestic average manufacturing price exceeds the median price for the drug in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan. If a price does not meet this criteria, or if pricing information is unavailable in at least three of these countries, the price is still considered excessive if it is higher than reasonable in light of specified factors, including development cost, revenue, and the size of the affected patient population.

The bill also requires drug manufacturers to report specified financial information for brand-name drugs, including research and advertising expenditures.

Current Status of Bill S 1818

Bill S 1818 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since May 20, 2025. Bill S 1818 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on May 20, 2025.  Bill S 1818's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. as of May 20, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 1818

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
1
Total Number of Cosponsors
13
Democrat Cosponsors
13
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 1818

Primary Policy Focus

Health

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 1818

A bill to significantly lower prescription drug prices for patients in the United States by ending government-granted monopolies for manufacturers who charge drug prices that are higher than the median prices at which the drugs are available in other countries.
A bill to significantly lower prescription drug prices for patients in the United States by ending government-granted monopolies for manufacturers who charge drug prices that are higher than the median prices at which the drugs are available in other countries.

Comments

Brodie Bradford profile image

Brodie Bradford

858

10 months ago

This new bill gonna make my meds more expensive. How does this help anyone?

Lilith Craig profile image

Lilith Craig

742

10 months ago

I don't care what anyone says, this new bill is gonna be a game changer for me and my meds. Finally, some relief from these outrageous prices. Can't wait to see how it all plays out! #excited

Georgia Lam profile image

Georgia Lam

803

10 months ago

I ain't likin' this new bill on drug prices. It gonna mess up my meds and cost me more money. This bill is bad news for folks like me who need affordable prescriptions. #NotHappy #BadForMe