Democrats Punt on Drug-Pricing Overhaul in Virus Relief Measure

House Democratic leaders omitted drug pricing changes from a new, $3 trillion stimulus measure, signaling that coronavirus-related legislation won’t address a main policy priority of their caucus.

Some senior Democrats and consumer advocacy groups have sought to include in every one of the five coronavirus packages introduced in the House this year “anti-profiteering” language aimed at denying pharmaceutical companies exclusive rights to produce Covid-19 vaccines or treatments and measures to prohibit high prices for the medicines.

After the provisions were left out of this latest package (H.R. 6800), drafted by House Democrats without input from Republican leaders and ...