The Biden administration on Thursday asserted its authority to seize the patents of certain costly medications in a new push to slash high drug prices and promote more pharmaceutical competition.

The administration unveiled a framework outlining the factors federal agencies should consider in deciding whether to use a controversial policy, known as march-in rights, to break the patents of drugs that were developed with federal funds but are not widely accessible to the public. For the first time, officials can now factor in a medication’s price — a change that could have big implications for drugmakers depending on how the government uses the powers.

“When drug companies won’t sell taxpayer-funded drugs at reasonable prices, we will be prepared to allow other companies to provide those drugs for less,” White House National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard said during a call with reporters Wednesday.

  • Uncle_Bagel@midwest.social
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    11 months ago

    It’s not like there is a cottage industry of small time pharmaceutical companies these days. The smaller ones that exist mostly just focus on making generic forms of drugs that jave expired patents.

    • mydude@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      Yes, true, but what i’m trying to ask is; is there any safeguard in the bill preventing it from being used to crush the few smaller ones?