Congress is considering numerous bills that would restrain costs in various ways. Click below to learn more. For a full list of drug-price proposals, see the policy tracker from the Drug Pricing Lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Safe and Affordable Drugs From Canada Act
Senate sponsors: John McCain (R-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)
Let patients import a 90-day supply of drugs for personal use from approved Canadian pharmacies. Requires prescription from U.S. doctor.
Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act
Senate sponsors: Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.)
Allow individuals, pharmacies and distributors to import drugs from Canada and eventually other countries meeting U.S. standards. Individuals need prescription from a U.S. practitioner.
Senate sponsors: Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mike Lee (R-Utah)
Allow imports of certain drugs for up to three years when there is a U.S. shortage or in case of noncompetitive markets for older drugs.
Prescription Drug and Health Improvement Act
Senate sponsors: Al Franken (D-Minn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.)
Let government negotiate prices of drugs covered by Medicare Part D. Negotiators would consider price, effectiveness, budget effects and availability of similar drugs.
Fair Access for Safe and Timely Generics (FAST) Act
House sponsors: David McKinley (R-W.Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.)
Ban pharma firms from restricting samples needed by developers to test and launch competing generics.
Senate sponsors: Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mike Lee (R-Utah)
Speed approval of generics in case of shortages or noncompetitive markets for older drugs.
Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act
Senate sponsors: Susan Collins (R-Maine), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.)
Accelerate generics applications in case of shortages of certain drugs or when manufacturers hold monopolies. Award tradeable vouchers for FDA review of generics applications within five months.
Senate sponsors: Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), John McCain (R-Ariz.)
Require public notice and explanation from drugmakers raising prices at least 10 percent in a year or 25 percent over three years.
Improving Access to Affordable Prescription Drugs Act
Senate sponsors: Al Franken (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)
Publish a regular list of generic drugs with no competitors.
Enable government to calculate price spikes using data from drugmakers. Post results on the internet. Levy an excise tax on price spikes.
Require reports on drugmaker research costs and coupon and charity programs covering patient copays.