Patrick Leahy: “I am disappointed that at the very last moment, the acceptance of the Drug Competition Act of 2001 as an amendment to…”

“I am disappointed that at the very last moment, the acceptance of the Drug Competition Act of 2001 as an amendment to "The Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act," S. 812 was withdrawn. This bill, which enjoys the justified support of the administration's antitrust enforcement agencies, would have brought lower-priced generic drugs to the marketplace. Along with Senator Grassley, I have every confidence that this bill would have garnered the overwhelming support of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle and would have benefitted every American purchasing prescription drugs, and am mystified by the reversal of the agreement to accept it. Prescription drug prices are rapidly increasing, and are a source of considerable concern to many Americans, especially senior citizens and families. Generic drug prices can be as much as 80 percent lower than the comparable brand name version. S. 812 is a tremendous effort to improve timely introduction of generic pharmaceuticals into the marketplace, and into our medicine cabinets, and our amendment will provide an important tool in making that effort successful. While the Drug Competition Act is a small bill in terms of length, it is a large one in terms of impact.”