U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sponsored the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act, bipartisan legislation to combat brand-name drug manufacturers’ attempts to delay competition from more affordable generic drugs.
“Keeping the market competitive will increase Montanans’ access to safe, affordable drugs,” said Daines.
Statements of Support:
“I couldn’t be happier that Senator Daines is advocating for increased access to affordable prescriptions for everyday Montanans. Having worked in this arena at the State level, I know how important it is for rural Montana.” – Ron Ehli, Montana State Representative, Hamilton
“I would encourage you to support the Creates Act S974. This legislation could save consumers billions of dollars per year on prescription drugs. Prescription drug cost have become a significant share to many Montana’s health care expenditures. This is just one step which could reduce those ever increasing cost and provide generic alternatives to consumers.” – Greg Hertz, Montana State Representative, Polson
“As the Representative for HD 65 in Bozeman, I’m writing to voice my support for the CREATES Act to lower prescription drug prices. I kindly request that you to pass on my message to Senator Daines. There are elected officials at all levels who are working hard to create ways to help Americans victimized by the deep issues within our healthcare system. I believe that the CREATES Act would go a long way towards improving competition in the drug industry, and ultimately to lower prescription drug prices for those who rely on lifesaving medications. Let’s get government out of the way and let the free market work for us to keep a little more money in the pockets of Montanans. Please pass on my support for the CREATES Act to Senator Daines. I hope that he will consider supporting this legislation when it comes to a vote and do let me know if you need anything else from me.” – Jon Knokey, Montana State Representative, Bozeman
Background:
The Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act targets abusive delay tactics that keep affordable generic drugs from entering the market. Specifically, the CREATES Act:
- Allows generic drug manufacturers to bring action in federal court when a brand-name drug company blocks generic competitors from obtaining necessary samples to show product equivalency for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.
- While still maintaining existing, rigorous statutory standards, allows the FDA more discretion to approve safety protocols other than shared safety protocols, which have been used by brand-name manufacturers to undermine generic’s ability to gain FDA approval.
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