[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 130 (Wednesday, July 31, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, there is too much secrecy in drug 
pricing, particularly in who benefits from rebates. Not all rebates are 
created equal in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program.
  Rebate obligations for brand-name drugs are currently based on both 
brand-name and authorized generic drug sales. That means brand-name 
drug manufacturers pay less in rebate obligations.
  The bipartisan legislation I introduced with Senator Wyden fixes 
this. It ensures that brand-name drug manufacturers pay--like common 
sense ought to dictate--brand-name rebates. This reduces gaming in the 
system to make sure authorized generics come to market for a purpose 
related to patient access, not just to lower brand-name rebate 
obligations.
  Transparency brings accountability, and with transparency and 
accountability, the market works better, competition works better, and 
in the end, gets the price of drugs down.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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