This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
New federal legislation that will provide a tremendous benefit to consumers who take prescription drugs was introduced this week in Congress, with Utah Sen. Mike Lee among the sponsors.
The Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act would deter drug companies from blocking cheaper generic alternatives from entering the marketplace. In sponsoring the legislation, Lee underscored his commitment to ensuring that consumers benefit from vigorous competition, particularly when it comes to helping put an end to abuse of a regulatory loophole by branded pharmaceutical companies that has prevented the entry of lower-cost generic alternatives to life-saving drugs.
We commend Lee for sponsoring this bipartisan bill and look forward to helping the CREATES Act become law.
Alan K. Ormsby
State director, AARP Utah