Joyce Introduces Bipartisan Legislation To Reduce Prescription Drug Prices

13^th District Health Care Leaders Praise Initiative

Congressman John Joyce (PA-13) today introduced bipartisan legislation to reduce the costs of prescription drugs by making generic medicine more quickly accessible to consumers. Joyce teamed up on the Ensuring Timely Access to Generics Act of 2019 with Anthony Brindisi (D-NY) and the companion version of the bill was introduced in the Senate earlier this April by Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

The Ensuring Timely Access to Generics Act of 2019 provides direction to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) on how to curb the amount of unnecessary citizens petitions, which are tactics brand drug manufacturers often use in order to delay generic medications from accessing the market. If the legislation becomes law, the FDA will gain the authority to deny citizens petitions if they deem their primary purpose is a way to delay the approval of a drug's transition to the generic marketplace.

andldquo;As a physician, I have watched patients struggle to afford the medications that they so desperately need, which is why one of my primary goals as a Member of Congress is to lower the costs of prescription drugs,andrdquo; said Congressman Joyce. andldquo;It is incredibly problematic that brand name drug companies have been able to avoid marketplace competition by utilizing illegitimate citizens petitions, and it's time that we give our federal regulators the tools that they need to properly police the application process. I urge House leadership to take this bill up as soon as possible so consumers can spend less at the pharmacy and can keep more money in their wallets.andrdquo;

Congressman Brindisi added, andldquo;I hear every day from Upstate New Yorkers struggling with the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs. It's time for members of Congress to work together on real solutions to lower health care costs and fix our broken system. This bipartisan legislation is a commonsense step to bring more generic drugs to the marketplace and drive down the costs of prescription drugs. I'm proud to partner with Congressman Joyce on this bill and will continue working with members of both parties to help ensure everyday Americans have access to the life-saving medication they need.andrdquo;

This is the fourth initiative on which Joyce has partnered with Brindisi since taking office. Earlier this Congress, the two lawmakers cosponsored the Dairy and Sheep H-2A Visa Enhancement Act, which expands the use of H-2A visas for the purposes of bolstering the dairy workforce. The two have also joined together to support efforts to bring whole milk back into public schools and to crack down on dairy imitators.

andldquo;The only way we can pass substantive health care reform legislation this Congress is if we work across the aisle,andrdquo; continued Joyce. andldquo;It is important that I have formed a strong working relationship with Congressman Brindisi and I look forward to his assistance as we both push to have this bill taken up in the Energy and Commerce Committee.andrdquo;

Joyce earlier this year called on his Democratic colleagues to shift their focus from Medicare-for-All and work with Republicans on realistic, bipartisan cures to the health care system. He has also championed bipartisan pushes to drive innovation in health care by supporting the repeal of the medical device tax.

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Health care leaders throughout the 13^th District lined up to praise Joyce for offering legislation to lower prescription drug prices and his overall work on health care.

Tim Harclerode, CEO of Conemaugh Nason Hospital in Blair said, andldquo;In the conversations I have had with Congressman Joyce he has made clear his commitment to lowering the cost of prescription drugs. I'm glad to see he is following through on that agenda by putting forward this legislation to get medication to the generic market in an expedited fashion. Patients who we treat everyday at Conemaugh Nason Medical Center will benefit from this reform and I look forward to continuing to work with Congressman Joyce on lowering the costs of health care.andrdquo;

Michael Makosky, President and CEO of Fulton County Medical Center said, andldquo;On behalf of Fulton County Medical Center, we are in support of efforts to lower the cost of prescription drugs and all efforts to benefit our community by reducing the costs of medical services. Congressman Joyce has been a great partner for us on health care issues and I thank him bringing this legislation forward to make medication cheaper for our patients.andrdquo;

Patrick O'Donnell, President and CEO of WellSpan Summit Health in Chambersburg said, andldquo;Congressman Joyce has toured WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, and we have had in depth discussions about the need to create more competition in the prescription marketplace. The reform being offered by Joyce is a great opportunity to lower prices for medications, allowing more of our friends and neighbors to better afford the medications they depend on. I support this as I feel it would have a positive impact on the health of our patients.andrdquo;

Ben Stonesipher, Owner of Chambers Apothecary in Chambersburg said, andldquo;As a pharmacist, I see everyday the difficulty those in the Chambersburg community have affording their medications. If we can speed up the process of drugs getting to the generic marketplace we will save people a great deal of money and I applaud Congressman Joyce for making lowering drug prices a priorityandrdquo;

Bill Thompson III, President of Thompson Pharmacies in Blair and Centre County said, andldquo;This is why it was so critical to send a physician to represent us in Washington. Congressman Joyce clearly understands that making generic drugs more accessible will reduce burdens on patients and make it easier for them to afford their medicine. I support this reform and applaud Congressman Joyce's work on behalf of our community.andrdquo;

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