Connecticut Senate Bill SB00138

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/20
• Refer: 2/19/20
• Report Pass: 3/10/20

Caption

An Act Requiring Manufacturers Of Brand Name Prescription Drugs To Provide Samples Of Such Drugs To Manufacturers Of Generic Prescription Drugs.

Impact

The bill is poised to significantly influence state laws related to the pharmaceutical industry, primarily enhancing accessibility for generic drug manufacturers. It seeks to amend existing frameworks that might restrict the availability of essential drug samples, which in turn can accelerate the development and approval timeline for generic medications. By requiring established manufacturers to support the entry of generics into the market, it could potentially lead to lower drug costs for consumers as competition increases among pharmaceutical products.

Summary

SB00138, titled 'An Act Requiring Manufacturers Of Brand Name Prescription Drugs To Provide Samples Of Such Drugs To Manufacturers Of Generic Prescription Drugs,' aims to foster competition in the prescription drug market. The legislation mandates that brand-name drug manufacturers or wholesalers must provide samples of their products to eligible developers of generic drugs at a price not exceeding the wholesale acquisition cost. This provision is designed to ensure that generic drug manufacturers can access necessary samples to conduct required testing for regulatory approvals, thus streamlining the pathway for generic drug development and ultimately benefiting consumers by increasing market competition.

Contention

Despite its intended benefits, SB00138 may face opposition from brand-name drug manufacturers who might argue that the bill could undermine proprietary rights and impose additional burdens on their operations. Concerns may arise regarding the quality and safety of the generic drugs developed based on the samples provided. Discussions around liability also emerge, as the bill includes a provision protecting manufacturers or wholesalers from legal liabilities due to defects in the products produced by generic developers. The balance between promoting competition and protecting the interests of established entities in the pharmaceutical market continues to be a point of discussion.