Lower Prices, Real Savings: Competition Is Key at the Pharmacy Counter

Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC — The National Consumers League (NCL) today welcomed the Senate HELP Committee’s hearing on generics and biosimilars as an important bipartisan step toward lowering prescription drug costs through increased competition.

“For patients, lower drug prices only matter if they translate into real savings at the pharmacy counter,” said Lisa Bercu, Senior Director of Health Policy at the National Consumers League. “A competitive market for generics and biosimilars is critical to delivering lower-cost options to patients and driving down prescription drug prices, and this hearing is an important step toward making that a reality.”

For patients and families, generic drugs and biosimilars can mean the difference between accessing needed treatment and going without. But realizing those savings depends on policies that support a robust and viable market—one where lower-cost alternatives can enter, compete, and reach patients. Today, significant barriers continue to delay competition and limit savings for consumers, including a biosimilar “void” where lower-cost options have failed to materialize.

NCL encourages policymakers to focus on practical, high-impact steps to strengthen competition, including:

Removing unnecessary barriers to biosimilar uptake, including outdated distinctions that create confusion for patients and providers;
Protecting and accelerating generic and biosimilar entry, including targeted fixes to address challenges with skinny labeling and other unintended barriers to competition; and
Curbing practices that limit competition, such as patent gaming and other strategies that extend monopolies beyond their intended scope.

A strong and sustainable market for generics and biosimilars is essential to delivering meaningful, long-term savings for consumers. NCL urges lawmakers to build on this hearing with targeted reforms that increase competition, improve access, and ensure patients benefit from lower-cost treatment options.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.