Drug Pricing Bills Win Senate Panel’s Backing Following Delay

Senators had a rare show of bipartisanship Thursday in advancing a slate of bills aimed at driving down US drug prices, including legislation to encourage generic drug approvals and address fees from the businesses that manage pharmaceutical coverage.

Four bills and a series of amendments aimed at lowering prescription drug costs received overwhelming support by members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. This comes just over a week after Chair Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) postponed votes following criticism from Republicans who wanted more information on the potential impacts of a series of amendments offered by Democrats.

The committee’s ...