HR 3947 — Competition Prescription Act of 2019
Last action — Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed House
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4Passed Senate
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.
In plain language
The bill aims to lower prescription drug costs by increasing competition.
This bill proposes measures to enhance competition in the prescription drug market to reduce prices. It includes provisions for generics and biosimilars, focuses on expediting drug approvals, and seeks to eliminate barriers to market entry.
What this means for you
- Consumers: This bill may lead to lower prescription drug prices and more options in the market.
Summary
Competition Prescription Act of 2019 This bill revises various requirements related to the development, production, and sale of prescription drugs and biological products. First, the bill permits the developer of a drug or biological product to bring a civil action against the license holder of an approved product if the license holder has declined to make available sufficient quantities of the approved product for the developer's testing. The bill also requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a process for developers of generic complex drugs to request and receive expedited development and priority review. Further, upon request by a drug sponsor, a drug that treats a life-threatening disease or condition must be designated for expedited review if there are fewer than three drugs currently available for such treatment. States are prohibited from placing restrictions on dispensing substitute biological products that have been determined to be interchangeable with another product by the FDA. Additionally, the bill prohibits sponsors of Medicare Part D prescription drug plans from reducing a payment to a pharmacy after a claim without defect has been submitted by such pharmacy. The bill establishes requirements for pricing standards for pharmacy benefits managers under Medicare and other federal prescription drug benefits programs. Starting in 2025, the bill removes the cap on rebates paid by manufacturers of outpatient prescription drugs under Medicaid. Further, the bill requires the publication of specified information regarding licensed biological products, exempts from antitrust prohibitions specified drug-price negotiation strategies, and establishes a Chief Pharmaceutical Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Bill Text
- Introduced Introduced in House Current html July 24, 2019
Action History
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Introduced in House
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Introduced in House
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Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Armed Services, and Oversight and Reform, 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.
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Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Armed Services, and Oversight and Reform, 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.
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Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Armed Services, and Oversight and Reform, 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.
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Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Armed Services, and Oversight and Reform, 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.
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Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Armed Services, and Oversight and Reform, 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.
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law.
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Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Sponsors
- Mark Meadows · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Meadows, Mark Republican
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (546)
546 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 546 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does HR 3947 do?
- Competition Prescription Act of 2019 This bill revises various requirements related to the development, production, and sale of prescription drugs and biological products. First, the bill permits the developer of a drug or biological product to bring a civil action against the license holder of an approved product if the license holder has declined to make available sufficient quantities of the approved product for the developer's testing. The bill also requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a process for developers of generic complex drugs to request and receive expedited development and priority review. Further, upon request by a drug sponsor, a drug that treats a life-threatening disease or condition must be designated for expedited review if there are fewer than three drugs currently available for such treatment. States are prohibited from placing restrictions on dispensing substitute biological products that have been determined to be interchangeable with another product by the FDA. Additionally, the bill prohibits sponsors of Medicare Part D prescription drug plans from reducing a payment to a pharmacy after a claim without defect has been submitted by such pharmacy. The bill establishes requirements for pricing standards for pharmacy benefits managers under Medicare and other federal prescription drug benefits programs. Starting in 2025, the bill removes the cap on rebates paid by manufacturers of outpatient prescription drugs under Medicaid. Further, the bill requires the publication of specified information regarding licensed biological products, exempts from antitrust prohibitions specified drug-price negotiation strategies, and establishes a Chief Pharmaceutical Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
- Who sponsors HR 3947?
- HR 3947 is sponsored by Meadows, Mark (Republican).
- What is the current status of HR 3947?
- This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
- Where can I track HR 3947?
- Track HR 3947 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
Make your voice heard on HR 3947
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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously
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