This week, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will consider several bills that aim to “make health care more affordable and accessible to American families.”
One in particular deserves a closer look. The Medication Affordability and Patent Integrity Act, introduced by Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and co-sponsored by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., would impose new disclosure requirements on drug companies. The bill’s supporters argue that more disclosure will prevent patent abuse, promote generic competition and lead to lower drug prices.
There is little evidence the bill will meaningfully advance those goals. Worse, by adding time and expense to the business of drug development, it will deprive future patients of effective new therapies if it becomes law.
