Congressman Eric Sorensen | Congressman Eric Sorensen Official U.S. House Headshot
Congressman Eric Sorensen | Congressman Eric Sorensen Official U.S. House Headshot
WASHINGTON, DC - On May 11, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) introduced the STOP GAMES Act to lower prescription drug prices.
"I've heard from constituents across Central & Northwestern Illinois who pay more for their prescription drugs than their rent. While our neighbors struggle, big pharma blocks competitors from offering lower cost alternatives," said Sorensen. "My bill fights back against corporate greed by preventing corporations from slowing down FDA approvals, creating more affordable generic drug options, and lowering costs for Illinois families and seniors."
The bill cracks down on "sham” citizen petitions, which big pharmaceutical companies file to slow down the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process for competing generic drugs. While citizen petitions are intended to provide a voice to patients and consumer groups, the process is often co-opted by drug manufacturers to keep prices high.
Sorensen’s legislation allows the FDA to reject a petition if they determine the purpose of the claim is stop or delay the entry of a new drug to the market. Currently, the agency is forced to investigate every claim.
Text of the legislation can be found here.
Congressman Eric Sorensen is the first openly LGBTQ person elected to represent Illinois at the federal level and is a member of the New Democrat Coalition. He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.
Original source can be found here.
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