HR-2700 : Still Just a Bill

Lowering Prescription Drug Costs and Extending Community Health Centers and Other Public Health Priorities Act

This bill addresses prescription drugs and extends several health care, research, and workforce programs.

Currently, a generic drug manufacturer is awarded 180 days of exclusivity on the market if it is the first applicant to file an application with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the exclusivity period begins upon the first applicant's commercial marketing. The bill authorizes the FDA to approve a subsequent generic drug application prior to the first applicant's first date of commercial marketing if certain conditions are met.

The bill prohibits a brand-name, generic, or biosimilar drug manufacturer from entering into certain agreements to resolve or settle a patent infringement claim in connection with the sale of a drug or biological product. Such an agreement, with specified exclusions, is a violation of the bill if the filer of the subsequent generic application receives something of value and agrees to limit or forego research, development, manufacturing, marketing, or sales of the generic drug or biological product.

The developer of a drug or biological product, such as a generic or biosimilar version of a drug, may bring a civil action against the license holder of an approved drug if the holder has declined to make available sufficient quantities of the approved drug for the developer's testing.

The bill also extends several health care, research, and workforce programs, including the National Health Service Corps, through FY2020.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2019-06-26CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law.House committee actions
2019-06-26CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.House committee actions
2019-05-15CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Health.House committee actions
2019-05-14IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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
2019-05-14IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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
2019-05-14IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Health
See Subjects
  • Administrative law and regulatory procedures
  • Appropriations
  • Child health
  • Civil actions and liability
  • Competition and antitrust
  • Consumer affairs
  • Digestive and metabolic diseases
  • Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
  • Education programs funding
  • Family planning and birth control
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  • Health care costs and insurance
  • Health care coverage and access
  • Health facilities and institutions
  • Health personnel
  • Health programs administration and funding
  • Health promotion and preventive care
  • Indian social and development programs
  • Inflation and prices
  • Judicial review and appeals
  • Licensing and registrations
  • Marketing and advertising
  • Medical education
  • Medical research
  • Minority health
  • National and community service
  • Prescription drugs
  • Product development and innovation
  • Sex and reproductive health
  • Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations