S.832 - Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures Act of 2025; EPIC Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
S.832, the Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures Act of 2025 (EPIC Act of 2025), aims to amend Title XI of the Social Security Act. The bill seeks to equalize the negotiation period between small-molecule and biologic drug candidates under the Drug Price Negotiation Program. This equalization would be achieved by adjusting the time elapsed since drug approval before negotiation can occur.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to change the negotiation timeline for drug prices under the Drug Price Negotiation Program. Specifically, it extends the period before negotiation for small-molecule drugs to match that of biologic drugs. This could potentially impact drug pricing and market access.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially incentivizes continued innovation in small-molecule drug development by providing a longer period of market exclusivity before price negotiation.
- May lead to more predictable revenue streams for pharmaceutical companies, encouraging further investment in research and development.
- Could foster a more level playing field between small-molecule and biologic drug manufacturers in terms of price negotiation.
- May result in a more sustainable drug development ecosystem by balancing innovation incentives with price considerations.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potentially delays price reductions for small-molecule drugs, leading to higher healthcare costs for consumers and the government in the short term.
- Could reduce the negotiating power of the government in the Drug Price Negotiation Program.
- May disproportionately benefit pharmaceutical companies at the expense of patients and taxpayers.
- Could create a barrier to accessing affordable medications for certain populations.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). Congress has the power to legislate on matters related to healthcare and drug pricing. The specific amendment to the Social Security Act falls under Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8).
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).