Yes, regulating anti-competitive practices is a step forward to eliminate profiteering by drug manufacturers and help reduce drug costs. I believe that branded drugs are protected by patent laws for some period of time, as they should be to enable manufacturers to recoup development costs. After the patents expire, any effort to limit broader distribution by others must be regulated. I strongly believe that ‘real capitalism’ is an important aspect of a growing economy and provides the strong incentive to innovate and provide better, more economical and more useful products and services. I believe that ‘crony-capitalism’, which relies on purchasing political favor or subjugating competition is inherently destructive in that it removes the incentives that ‘pure-capitalism’ provides. That is why regulation like this is needed for the pharmaceutical industry and others. The reason that so many critically needed pharmaceuticals have increased so much in price recently needs to be investigated. I believe it to be another example of crony-capitalism at work. The prices have radically increased across the board so that when greater price controls are enacted, the drug companies can claim such undue hardship and company sacrifice when they will have to reduce prices to what was their former, and still profitable levels.

People should not be dying due to lack of prescription access in the world’s richest country.

Competitive drug market will not get though the senate, just like the 275 bills sitting on Mitch McConnell desk! The senate will block not only these bills that would help America, but will also block impeachment.

We need better and cheaper drugs. Instead of making people suffer with pain there has to be something to help

Yes, but only as a preliminary to National Healthcare program. The permafrost is melting and billions of new pathogens are being released into the environment. Without a national healthcare plan protecting all Americans, we are one deadly virus away from an economic disaster and national pandemic. Corporations cannot function without a working class. And the working class will be decimated by a national pandemic. FYI... in America we pay thousands of dollars in out of pocket costs for diabetics care. In Germany or the UK those same prescriptions and routine care average between 20-30 euros. And no, I am not diabetic, nor is anybody in my immediate family. I simply find it ridiculous that in one of the most affluent and innovative nation’s in the world, we are willing to potentially sacrifice 1 out of every 4 US citizens who happen to have a condition which at can be easily treated. Just so a highly profitable industry can become even more profitable and to the illusion of trickle down economic theory. Even when big Pharma does decide to give back, their whimsical offering is considered a charitable donation, and fully tax deductible. Ethical business practices should neither be optional, nor tax deductible. The current system, which is/has been highly subsidized by tax payers for generations, is not representative of a free market. Simply put... Funding for American education, healthcare, housing, and infrastructure should neither be dependent on the generosity of corporations, nor be placed below the interests of PRIVATE CORPORATE INTERESTS.

Impeach Trump! Or make him accountable. You will be voted out. Drug prices and insurance are out of control. The average person in Indiana can barely live. Get it together.

This will help create more competition and may lower drug prices. The whole research and development argument against this, falls on deaf ears. Especially when Insulin prices have tripled...a drug that was developed in 1923 by Fredrick Banting. He gave the patent away free, as it saved people’s lives. Poor man is spinning in his grave! We now have people dying, as they can’t afford their insulin...and it’s not because of research and development. It’s pure greed. Pure greed & universal healthcare also explain the differences between drug prices in our country compared to others. So, go ahead with this legislation, but better yet....support Medicare For All! Doing so will allow our government to negotiate drug prices & keep them low!!! Americans deserve better!!!

Another well-intentioned bill sent to die on MoscowMitch’s desk.

Yes, but they spend enough money in Washington to make representatives ignore the needs of the people they represent.

We need to take back the power from the drug manufacturers and provide better methods of getting affordable medicines to consumers. I wish drug companies would do this themselves, but they've shown that they won't, so they must be regulated. If Congress has to force them to set competitive but affordable prices, then so be it.

Here’s the truth from someone in the healthcare field. Very few pharmaceutical companies spend money doing serious research on drugs. They take information on research paid for by tax payers at the NIH, do a few studies skewed to get the results they want, then act as if they really did something while laws prevent them from having to disclose what actually changed in the new medicine they’re pushing to replace the old one at ten times the price. Drug companies need a lot more regulation. This doesn’t go nearly far enough.

It is time for the US Federal government to stop coddling drug companies. The Drug industry has played a fear game with American consumers and voters--and out elected representatives--for far too long. Allow reasonable patent protections

Competition is the heart of a successful capitalist system.

Big Pharma needs a major overhaul- why is it that the United States and New Zealand are the ONLY 2 countries that allow televised advertising - IT IS DISGUSTING- on constantly peddling drugs for EVERYTHING- and you wonder why the US has a drug problem

The cost to produce a drug argument has been debunked TIME AND AGAIN. A vast majority of R&D is conducted with taxpayer dollars. Stop gaslighting people who you owe for helping produce these drugs in the first place. The main reason the brand versions exist aren’t even because they’re new... sneaky tactics help regain/retain exclusivity long after the time that patent laws intended for rewarding scientific development successes. Stop letting greed matter more than human lives.

Drugs should be available to all people at the lost cost possible.

Yes, this is but one step in the access to affordable drugs and to better health care in general.

This bill will help lower the cost of prescription drugs and healthcare overall. By doing this in a bipartisan fashion shows Washington can work for the people.

Yes. This will help lower the cost of medications and make them more accessible to people!