Bill · H.R. 890· House(119-HR-890)
Stopping Pharma’s Ripoffs and Drug Savings For All Act
- Introduced
- 1/31/2025
- Last activity
- 1/31/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Patrick Ryan
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Stopping Pharma's Ripoffs and Drug Savings For All Act," aims to amend title 35 of the United States Code to prevent double patenting. It establishes a presumption that a patentee has disclaimed the patent term for certain listed patents after the first patent expires during specific legal proceedings. The bill also directs the Director of the USPTO to conduct a comprehensive review of patent examination procedures. This review focuses on how the Office avoids issuing multiple patents for the same drug or biological product that are not patentably distinct. Finally, the Director must submit a report containing findings and recommendations to the House Committee on the Judiciary within one year.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?+6
By preventing double patenting, the bill seeks to reduce the duration of drug exclusivity and lower costs for consumers.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+5
The bill aims to prevent pharmaceutical companies from using improper patent extensions to maintain high prices.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+3
Lower prescription drug costs would increase the purchasing power of low-income individuals.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Presumption of Disclaimed Patent Terms: In certain legal proceedings involving drugs or biological products, the patentee is presumed to have disclaimed the patent term for subsequent patents after the first patent expires (Section 2(a)). This could prevent the improper extension of exclusivity.
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Improved Patent Examination: The Director is tasked with reviewing and potentially implementing new practices to improve the examination of patent applications for drugs or biological products (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Reduction of Improper Patent Issuance: The bill seeks to reduce the issuance of patents that improperly extend the term of exclusivity for a new drug or biological product (Section 2(b)(2)(A)(ii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Burden of Proof for Distinct Inventions: If a patentee wants to prevent the presumption of disclaimed terms, they must demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that their patents cover patentably distinct inventions (Section 2(a)(2)).
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+3Good For Middle Class Households+3
- Healthcare
- Reduces Prescription Drug Costs+6
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- 1/31/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House