New Report from the Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance Reveals How Big Pharma Blocks Generic Drug Competition to Keep Medication Prices High

[E-Drug-Plus]

New Report from the Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance Reveals How Big Pharma Blocks Generic Drug Competition to Keep Medication Prices High

Washington, D.C., April 16, 2026 – Today, the Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance (PRA) released a report examining how pharmaceutical companies are using patent gaming strategies to delay or block lower-cost generic and biosimilar competition. By keeping more affordable alternatives off the market, these practices inflate prices and place essential medications out of reach for American families. As the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee holds a hearing today on lowering prescription drug costs, the role Big Pharma plays in fueling America’s affordability crisis, the strategies they use to cheat the patent system, and how they drive up and maintain high drug prices must be top of mind. The report highlights three central tactics Big Pharma uses to prevent competition and keep affordable medication out of reach for American families: Pay-For-Delay, Patent Thickets, and Evergreening. Pay-for-Delay – a practice whereby brand-name drug manufacturers compensate generic competitors for postponing their entry into the market. This agreement effectively restricts patient access to lower-cost medications and has resulted in financial losses for Americans estimated between $6.2 billion and $37.1 billion. Patent Thickets – the strategic accumulation of additional patents by major pharmaceutical companies on various aspects of a drug—such as formulation, packaging, and ingredients—after the drug has received approval. This tactic can lead to extensive market exclusivity; for example, one widely used drug has over 300 patents, extending its exclusivity until at least 2032 and generating an estimated additional $166 billion in sales for its drug manufacturer. Evergreening – the process of filing new patents based on minor modifications, such as changes in dosage combinations or manufacturing techniques, as existing patents approach expiration. This strategy aims to extend market exclusivity and can significantly enhance revenue; for instance, 130 additional patents were filed for an autoimmune biologic, contributing to $200 billion in revenue for the pharmaceutical company. Despite Americans doing everything right, they’re still grappling with sky-high prescription drug prices. Today, lawmakers must examine how Big Pharma’s patent gaming strategies fuel the prescription drug affordability crisis, costing Americans billions of dollars and restricting access to their essential medications. “When it comes to the anti-competitive practices driving up prescription drug costs, Big Pharma is always at the center,” said PRA spokesperson and former Congressman J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ). “Big Pharma shouldn’t be allowed to use their drug monopolies to block competition from generic and biosimilar manufacturers, keeping affordable options out of Americans’ hands. It’s time to pass commonsense reforms to America’s patent system and hold Big Pharma accountable so that all Americans can access the lifesaving medications they need at prices they can afford.” The patent gaming report and fact sheets are publicly accessible HERE.