Bill · S. 1587· Senate(119-S-1587)
Fair Prescription Drug Prices for Americans Act
- Introduced
- 5/5/2025
- Last activity
- 5/5/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Josh Hawley
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Fair Prescription Drug Prices for Americans Act" aims to limit the cost of certain prescription drugs and biological products in the United States. It prohibits the retail list price of these products from exceeding the average retail list price found in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is responsible for calculating these averages annually using manufacturer data and public filings. Manufacturers who exceed this price cap will face civil monetary penalties. These penalties are calculated by multiplying the price difference by 10 for every unit sold.
Yes· 3 of 37
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+10
Drastically lowers the cost barrier for essential medication for those with limited means.
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?+10
Directly mandates that U.S. retail list prices not exceed the average price of six other developed nations.
Would retired people be better off under this?+9
Significant benefit for retirees who typically have higher medication needs.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Would billionaires be better off under this?-5
Negative impact for those who own or invest heavily in pharmaceutical companies due to capped profits.
Does this put more money into medical research?-4
Capping prices and imposing heavy penalties on manufacturers may reduce the capital available for R&D.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-2
Shifts drug pricing control toward federal mandates rather than state-level negotiation or market forces.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Lower Drug Prices: Section 2(b) prevents the retail list price of drugs and biological products in the U.S. from being higher than the average price in six other specific nations, which could reduce costs for consumers.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Manufacturer Penalties: Section 2(d) imposes civil monetary penalties on manufacturers that violate the price cap, charging them 10 times the difference between the U.S. price and the international average for every unit sold.
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+10Good For Retirees+9Good For People With Disabilities+8Good For Seniors+8Good For Middle Class Households+7Good For African Americans+5Good For Asian Americans+5Good For Hispanic Americans+5Good For Immigrants+5Good For L G B T Q Community+5Good For Men+5Good For Middle Aged+5Good For Native Americans+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Veterans+5Good For White Americans+5Good For Women+5Good For Children+4Good For Students+4Good For Union Workers+4Good For Urban Residents+4Good For Young Adults+4Good For High Income Households+3Good For High Net Worth Individuals+3Good For Ultra High Net Worth Individuals+3Good For Billionaires-5
- Healthcare
- Reduces Prescription Drug Costs+10Improves Healthcare Access+7Improves Mental Health Access+3Improves Veterans Healthcare+3Reduces Private Insurance Premiums+3Increases Research Funding-4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+8Reduces Inflation+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5Improves Government Transparency+3Increase States Rights-2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+4Improves Racial Equity+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Intellectual Property Fairness-2
- 5/5/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont