Biden Administration Introduces New Tool to Lower Drug Prices and Increase Access

The Biden administration announced a new framework that outlines when federal agencies could use "march-in rights" to break drug patents for medications developed with public funding but deemed too expensive. This would allow generic competitors to produce more affordable versions. It marks the first time a U.S. administration has explicitly said a drug's high price alone could justify breaking its patent. However, no agency has actually exercised march-in rights to date. The move is part of President Biden's efforts to lower drug costs for Americans and increase competition in the pharmaceutical industry. Nearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults struggle to afford their medications.