A bipartisan bill that intends to ease the introduction of generic drugs into the market is being prepared for both Senate and House floors . The CREATES Act is supported by both insurer and provider groups , and Senate Judiciary Chair Charles Grassley ( R - Iowa ) has announced that its process will be expedited by a Senate committee . At the heart of the bill is a move to expand the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies ( REMS ) regulation process applied to biosimilar and generic drugs and biological products . It is hoped that this move will bring about an influx of cheaper alternatives to name brand drugs . The bill ’s passage is being spearheaded by Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of California despite significant opposition within the pharmaceutical industry . "It's just getting it to the floor. The legislation was initially dropped following the budget agreement , but it has been carried along by lawmakers with only minor changes . The legislation has significant backers , including American Hospital Association , AARP , Consumers Union , Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and America 's Health Insurance Plans but it is unclear whether either Senate or House leadership would put it on the ballot . The Congressional Budget Office has projected that the bill would bring about $ 3.8 billion in savings for the government , as well as savings for patients and insurers .
A bipartisan bill that intends to ease the introduction of generic drugs into the market is being prepared for both Senate and House floors . The CREATES Act is supported by both insurer and provider groups , and Senate Judiciary Chair Charles Grassley ( R - Iowa ) has announced that its process will be expedited by a Senate committee . At the heart of the bill is a move to expand the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies ( REMS ) regulation process applied to biosimilar and generic drugs and biological products . It is hoped that this move will bring about an influx of cheaper alternatives to name brand drugs . The bill ’s passage is being spearheaded by Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of California despite significant opposition within the pharmaceutical industry . The legislation was initially dropped following the budget agreement , but it has been carried along by lawmakers with only minor changes . The legislation has significant backers , including American Hospital Association , AARP , Consumers Union , Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and America 's Health Insurance Plans but it is unclear whether either Senate or House leadership would put it on the ballot . The Congressional Budget Office has projected that the bill would bring about $ 3.8 billion in savings for the government , as well as savings for patients and insurers .