Sponsors (8)
Directs agencies to set most-favored-nation price targets, expand safe importation waivers for individuals, boost antitrust enforcement, and study manufacturer practices affecting prices and security.
The bill seeks to lower drug prices and expand access through price alignment, importation and tougher enforcement, but risks reduced industry revenue and R&D, possible drug shortages or safety issues, legal challenges, and added administrative burdens.
Patients (especially those with chronic conditions and low-income individuals) and public programs (Medicare and Medicaid) would likely face lower out-of-pocket drug costs and reduced government drug spending if U.S. prices are aligned with lower prices abroad.
Stronger antitrust enforcement could increase competition, limit price‑fixing or exclusionary conduct by manufacturers, and exert downward pressure on drug prices for consumers.
Allowing lawful individual importation under clear waiver criteria could expand low-cost access options for patients who cannot afford U.S. prices.
Lower U.S. prices could reduce pharmaceutical industry revenues and R&D investment, potentially slowing development of new drugs and affecting future patients.
Manufacturers may reduce supply or delay U.S. product launches in response to pricing changes, risking drug availability for patients and stress on hospitals and health systems.
Importation and expanded direct-to-consumer purchasing could pose safety risks if supply chains and regulatory oversight are inadequate.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Official title: To reduce prescription drug prices by aligning U.S. prices with international benchmarks.
Introduced May 19, 2025 by Ro Khanna · Last progress May 19, 2025
Requires HHS (with CMS and other agencies) to quickly propose rulemaking that would impose most-favored-nation (MFN) price targets so U.S. patient prices for prescription drugs are comparable to similarly developed countries; directs HHS to certify that individual importation of drugs presents no health risk and to set circumstances for routine case-by-case waivers enabling individuals to import lower‑cost drugs. It also directs the Attorney General and FTC Chair to pursue antitrust enforcement against manufacturers for anticompetitive conduct and tasks Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative with studying whether manufacturer practices harm national security or distort global drug pricing. The bill would also require HHS to facilitate direct-to-consumer purchasing programs to allow sales at MFN-set prices where legally possible.