Sorensen’s Bipartisan Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Costs Advances Out of House Committee

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) today celebrated the House Energy and Commerce Committee's bipartisan approval of his STOP GAMES Act, legislation to lower prescription drug costs by preventing pharmaceutical companies from abusing the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) citizen petition process to delay competition from affordable generic drugs.

The bipartisan legislation, led by Congressman Sorensen and Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05), was approved in today's full committee markup as part of the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, a healthcare package aimed at reducing medical expenses and eliminating hidden medication costs. The legislation included several bipartisan, common-sense solutions that will promote competition and lower prescription drug prices for Americans.

This announcement is part of Congressman Sorensen's broader affordability plan to lower costs for working families and put money back in the pockets of his neighbors. From prescription drugs to everyday expenses, Sorensen is focused on delivering real results that help families keep more of what they earn.

"Too many families are paying more than they should for prescription drugs because big pharmaceutical companies are gaming the system to block lower-cost competition," said Congressman Sorensen. "The STOP GAMES Act is a bipartisan solution that helps get affordable generic drugs to market faster. This is an important step toward lowering costs for my neighbors and families across the country."

The STOP GAMES Act cracks down on "sham" citizen petitions, which big pharmaceutical companies file to slow down the FDA approval process for competing generic drugs. While citizen petitions are intended to provide a voice to patients and consumer groups, the process is often co-opted by drug manufacturers to keep prices high.

Sorensen's legislation allows the FDA to reject a petition if they determine the purpose of the claim is stop or delay the entry of a new drug to the market. Currently, the agency is forced to investigate every claim.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee oversees healthcare legislation for the House of Representatives.

Now that the bill has cleared the committee, it's one step closer to advancing to the House floor for a vote.