HR-2375 : Still Just a Bill


Preserve Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act

This bill authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to initiate proceedings against parties to any agreement resolving or settling a patent infringement claim in connection with the sale of a drug or biological product. Such an agreement is presumed to have anticompetitive effects and is a violation of this bill if the filer of the generic drug or biosimilar application receives anything of value and agrees to limit or forego research, development, manufacturing, marketing, or sales of the generic drug or biosimilar.

An agreement is exempted if the only consideration granted to the generic manufacturer is (1) the right to market its product prior to the expiration of any statutory exclusivity, (2) a payment for reasonable litigation expenses, or (3) a covenant not to sue on any claim that the generic drug or biosimilar infringes a patent. An agreement is also exempt if the agreement's pro-competitive benefits outweigh the anticompetitive effects.

When a generic or biosimilar drug manufacturer enters into an agreement with another drug manufacturer related to the manufacturing, marketing, or sale of a drug, the manufacturers must certify that the material they have given the FTC concerning the agreement contains the complete agreement and any agreements related to that main agreement, including descriptions of any oral agreements or representations.

The bill imposes penalties for violations of this bill, including the forfeiture of the 180-day marketing exclusivity period for a generic drug.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2020-12-24CalendarsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 576.House floor actions
2020-12-24DischargeCommittee on Energy and Commerce discharged.House floor actions
2020-12-24CommitteeReported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-693, Part I.House floor actions
2019-04-30CommitteeOrdered to be Reported by Voice Vote.House committee actions
2019-04-30CommitteeCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.House committee actions
2019-04-30CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Health.House committee actions
2019-04-29IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2019-04-29IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2019-04-29IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Health
Related Subjects
  • Administrative law and regulatory procedures
  • Civil actions and liability
  • Competition and antitrust
  • Congressional oversight
  • Contracts and agency
  • Intellectual property
  • Judicial review and appeals
  • Licensing and registrations
  • Marketing and advertising
  • Prescription drugs
Related Geographic Entities
Related Organizations
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Related Bills

See Related Bills