> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.fdaweb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Congressmen Introduce Bill to Prevent Generic Drug Delays
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/congressmen-introduce-bill-to-prevent-generic-drug-delays/
- Published: 2019-02-01T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T00:59:41.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5143282

Congressmen **Kurt Schrader** (D-OR) and **Earl L. Carter** (R-GA) have introduced legislation aimed at keeping drug prices down by increasing competition in the generic drug market. The *Bringing Low-cost Options and Competition while Keeping Incentives for New Generics (BLOCKING) Act* ([HR 938](http://www.fdalawblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/BLOCKING-Act.pdf?ref=fdaweb.com)) would aim to prevent the first generic product makers of a class of drugs “parking” their exclusivity awards and thus blocking subsequent generic approvals.

Under the BLOCKING Act, if a second generic drug application is blocked from gaining approval solely due to a first generic drug manufacturer parking their exclusivity at the tentative approval stage, then the 180-day exclusivity period immediately begins to run, preventing limitless delays for other generics to come to the market, according to the lawmakers. “This legislation mirrors a proposal to “speed development of more affordable generics to spur competition” that was [included in the administration’s FY19 budget proposal](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/FY19-Budget-Fact-Sheet%5FReforming-Drug-Pricing-Payment.pdf?ref=fdaweb.com),” they say.