Momentum Builds for Bipartisan CREATES Act

For Immediate Release
Contact: Lauren Blair
201-213-5004
[email protected]

Following the reintroduction of the bipartisan Creating and Restoring Equal Access To Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, CSRxP executive director, Lauren Aronson, praised the momentum and support for legislation to lower drug prices and increase competition:

“We’re delighted to see the CREATES Act gaining significant bipartisan momentum as a growing chorus of patient advocates and health care industry leaders rally behind this critical measure to introduce fair competition to the pharmaceutical industry and lower drug prices.”

“No patient should ever have to choose between proper treatment and financial distress.  That’s why it’s time for Congress to advance bipartisan, market-based solutions like the CREATES Act.”

What Patient Advocates & Health Care Industry Leaders Are Saying About The CREATES Act

“High and rising prescription drug prices force consumers to skip doses or even avoid filling their prescriptions for life-saving medications altogether.  Now is the perfect time for Congress to finally begin to take action by passing the bipartisan CREATES Act.” – Families USA

“The CREATES Act, a common-sense fix to stop drug companies from blocking cheaper generics, was reintroduced today with bipartisan support!  Last year, patients urged legislators to support CREATES – this year we will keep fighting to make it law.” – Patients For Affordable Drugs NOW

“CREATES Act reintroduced w/ amazing line-up of bipartisan sponsors in US House & Senate.  We are going to stop abuses by companies like @celgene that block cheaper generics. Thanks @SenatorLeahy.”  – Patients for Affordable Drugs

“Vizient strongly supports the CREATES Act, which will help to slow out-of-control prescription drug spending and stop anti-competitive tactics that keep drug prices high for patients and providers.  Equally important, this legislation will help speed the introduction of generic and biosimilar medicines into the marketplace which is a critical step in helping to slow the upward trajectory of drug costs and ultimately lowering prices for patients.”  – Vizient Pharmacy Solutions

“Express Scripts once again calls upon stakeholders to act on a prescription drug affordability agenda by passing and signing the [CREATES] Act, supporting legislation to prohibit ‘pay-for-delay’ arrangements, supporting use of electronic prescribing for controlled substances in public programs, and unleashing the potential of value-based benefit designs.” – Express Scripts

“Agree generics have been a real success story.  Hoping we can entice administration to help push bipartisan CREATES Act across the finish line in Congress to speak more generics to market @_ACHP @RxPricing.” – Alliance of Community Health Plans

“Thank you @SenatorLeahy @ChuckGrassley, @SenAmyKlobuchar, @SenMikeLee for reintroducing #CREATESAct, amarket-driven, bipartisan bill to address #rxprices.” – American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

“Nearly 50 health care and consumer groups, including the AHA, voiced their support for the [CREATES Act] as it was reintroduced yesterday in the new Congress.  ‘The CREATES Act will help ensure that brand-name pharmaceutical companies cannot take advantage of regulatory rules to forestall the competition that is essential for access and innovation,’ the groups said in a letter to the bill’s sponsors.” – American Hospital Association

“Thank you @ChuckGrassley @SenatorLeahy @SenAmyKlobuchar & @SenMikeLee for your leadership on #CREATES Act, which will curb anti-competitive tactics by certain brand companies that have denied patients access to safe, effective and lower-priced generic medicines. @AccessibleMeds.” – Chip Davis, President & CEO, Association for Accessible Medicines

“AMCP is proud to join nearly 50 organizations in support of #CREATESAct, a bipartisan, market-based solution to increase competition and lower prescription drug prices for patients.” – Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy

What Federal Lawmakers Are Saying About the CREATES Act

“I hear from Vermonters every day that rising prescription drug prices are a larger strain each year on their tight budgets.  For too long, a few predatory name brand companies have used anticompetitive strategies to delay entry of lower cost generic drugs.  When these companies use unfair practices to keep drug prices artificially high, patients suffer.  Patients, families and government programs shouldn’t have to cope with increased drug costs to help name brand companies’ bottom lines.  Our bipartisan bill continues to gain momentum.  It is precisely targeted to stop these abuses, and I’m committed to working on behalf of Vermonters in Congress to see that CREATES and other vital efforts to lower prescription drug prices are signed into law.” – Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)

“Generic alternatives to brand-name medications provide consumers with greater choice and more affordable prescription drug options, but anti-competitive practices by some brand-name pharmaceutical companies block access to these lower-cost generics.  This behavior hurts consumers and costs taxpayers billions.  The bipartisan CREATES Act respects intellectual property rights and encourages greater competition that will inevitably lower the price of prescription medications for the American patient.  It also saves $3.9 billion in taxpayer dollars and likely far more for consumers and private insurers.  I look forward to getting this important tool passed so we can improve access to lower-cost generic drugs.” – Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa)

“No family should ever be forced to decide between filling a prescription or putting food on the table.  This legislation will help end the unfair practices that drive up prescription drug costs and deter pharmaceutical companies from blocking cheaper generic alternatives from entering the marketplace.  All Americans should be able to afford the lifesaving medication they need.” – Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)

“If we’re ever going to bring the cost of health-insurance premiums and prescription drugs under control we must reform the Food and Drug Administration’s excessively onerous, time-consuming regulatory process.  The CREATES Act is an essential first step in that process.  It is a commonsense, bipartisan measure that will provide real, immediate relief to a serious problem.” – Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah)

“No one should go broke because they can’t afford the cost of their prescription drugs.  What pharmaceutical companies are doing is unconscionable.  It needs to end.  This bipartisan bill will make it easier for generic drugs to enter the market.  It will increase competition and help bring down prescription drug costs across the board.  I’m pleased to be introducing it with Ranking Member Sensenbrenner today.  I look forward to working with him as we pass this bill into law.” – Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI-01)

“Americans of all ages are burdened by high prescription drug prices, and we must address this growing issue.  I’m proud to sponsor this common-sense bill that will implement market-based solutions, making prescription drugs more affordable, saving taxpayers money, and providing much-needed relief to the American people.  I thank Chairman Cicilline as well as Chairman Nadler and Ranking Member Collins for working with me on this bipartisan effort.” – Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI-05)

CSRxP was joined by nearly 50 organizations in signing a letter of support for the CREATES Act.  Read the full letterHERE.