Lawmakers at Work on Bill to Spur Generic Drugs (1)

Lawmakers are in talks to pass legislation meant to spur generic drug competition, possibly as part of a package of bills meant to fight the opioid epidemic.

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) told reporters he’s in talks with “Big Pharma” about passing legislation that would stop branded drug companies from using FDA-mandated risk plans to block generic competition. He said he wants to couple that bill with a change to Medicare Part D that could save drugmakers nearly $12 billion over the next decade.

“Big Pharma is interested in the money that it brings in to offset some things they want ...