Pelosi’s Drug Pricing Plan Could Violate Three Parts Of Constitution

And the potential constitutional issues with the bill can’t be fixed with a few tweaks — they relate to the central crux of the bill, according to a report by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. Meanwhile, a watchdog report flags safety and reliability concerns over drug imports from China. And in other pharmaceutical news: patents legislation, the roller coaster of Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug, and an investigation into carcinogens.

Stat: Nonpartisan Congressional Report Suggests Pelosi’s Drug Pricing Bill Could Be Found UnconstitutionalHouse Democrats’ signature drug pricing legislation could run afoul of not one, not two, but three separate parts of the U.S. Constitution, Congress’ own legal experts write in a new report. The Oct. 21 Congressional Research Service report obtained by STAT states that H.R. 3, which would allow the government to negotiate over drug prices and levy huge fines on companies who refuse, might run afoul of the Fifth and Eighth Amendments, as well as Congress’ taxing power under the Constitution. (Florko, 10/25)

Pelosi’s Drug Pricing Plan Could Violate Three Parts Of Constitution, Congress’ Legal Experts Warn