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# Sarbanes Drug Cost Bill Introduced
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/sarbanes-drug-cost-bill-introduced/
- Published: 2018-07-24T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T00:21:21.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5141945

Rep. **John Sarbanes** (D-MD) has introduced the Biosimilars Competition Act of 2018 to require biologic and biosimilar drug manufacturers to report anticompetitive “pay-for-delay” agreements that keep lower-cost drugs off the market. “We must take every step possible to prevent Big Pharma from continuing to raise drug prices on hardworking American families,” Sarbanes said in a [statement](https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-help-lower-prescription-drug?ref=fdaweb.com). “This bill will help lower prescription drug costs by bringing more affordable biosimilar drugs to the market.”

The statement says that unlike requirements that most branded drug and generic drug manufacturers notify the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission before reaching a “pay-for-delay” agreement to ensure that it does not violate anti-trust laws, manufacturers of biologics and biosimilars do not have such a requirement. Sarbane’s bill would allow the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to scrutinize “pay-for-delay” agreements made by biologic and biosimilar drug manufacturers, and take enforcement action when necessary to keep more affordable drugs on the market.