Bill · H.R. 3546· House(119-HR-3546)
Prescription Drug Price Relief Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 5/21/2025
- Last activity
- 5/21/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Ro Khanna
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Prescription Drug Price Relief Act of 2025 aims to lower drug prices by ending government-granted monopolies for drugs priced higher than the median in other countries. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will review brand name drugs annually to determine if prices are excessive based on international price comparisons or other specific factors. If a drug is deemed excessively priced, the Secretary will waive its exclusivities and grant open, non-exclusive licenses to allow others to manufacture or import the drug. The bill also mandates that entities accepting these licenses pay a reasonable royalty to the patent holder. Additionally, the Act requires manufacturers to submit detailed annual reports regarding drug pricing, research costs, and revenues.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?+10
The bill specifically targets and aims to significantly lower the costs of brand name drugs through competition.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+8
Lower drug prices provide significant relief to low-income households.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+7
The bill enhances consumer protection by introducing competition to lower drug prices.
The opposite
Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer?-6
The bill reduces exclusivity rights for patent holders to lower drug prices.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Lower Prescription Drug Prices: The primary goal is to significantly lower prices for patients by ending monopolies on drugs that are priced higher than those in reference countries like Canada, the UK, Germany, France, and Japan (Section 2; Section 3).
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Increased Competition: By granting open, non-exclusive licenses, the bill allows other people to make, use, sell, or import drugs, which introduces competition into the market (Section 3).
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Faster Access to Generics: The Secretary is required to prioritize and act within 8 months of a generic drug or biosimilar application that references a drug with an open license (Section 3).
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Accountability for Price Hikes: The Secretary can file civil actions to recover damages if a manufacturer increases the price of an excessively priced drug during the period before a competitor begins manufacturing under a license (Section 3).
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Transparency of Information: The creation of a public database will provide information on drugs determined to have excessive prices, the number of licenses granted, and details regarding petitions and determinations (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burden on Patent Holders: Entities that accept open, non-exclusive licenses must pay a reasonable royalty to the patent holder (Section 4).
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Potential for Civil Penalties on Manufacturers: Manufacturers face civil monetary penalties if they fail to submit required annual reporting information on time or provide false information (Section 6).
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Litigation Risks: The Secretary has the authority to file civil actions against manufacturers to recover damages resulting from price increases on drugs determined to be excessively priced (Section 3).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+8Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For Retirees+5
- Healthcare
- Reduces Prescription Drug Costs+10Improves Healthcare Access+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+6Improves Government Transparency+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+7
- Education And Technology
- Improves Intellectual Property Fairness-6
- 7/22/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois