US Congressman Cassidy, et al, propose drug shortage solutions

US Congressman Bill Cassidy, a medical physician (Republican, Louisiana) and four colleagues, last week introduced the Patient Access to Drugs in Shortage Act (HR 6611). He introduced the bill with Congressmen Andy Harris (Rep, Maryland), Mike Rogers (Rep, Michigan), Tom Rooney (Rep, Florida) and Dan Benishek (Rep, Michigan), that they say could make it worth the while of drugmakers to produce these drugs and even draw some branded makers back into the market with tax incentives.

This legislation would resolve America’s severe shortage of many life-saving drugs, said Representative Cassidy. Currently, the artificially low Medicare reimbursement rate for generic sterile injectable drugs discourages their production. The bill would increase production by pegging the reimbursement rate to a figure which accurately reflects the value of those drugs. Additionally, the bill includes a special provision for when a drug is in short supply by incentivizing brand name drug manufacturers to enter and stabilize the market.

Would adjust how Medicare pays for medicines