The White House is threatening the patents of high-priced drugs developed with taxpayer dollars

The White House is considering using a little-known patent law to tackle high drug prices, especially for medications developed using taxpayer funds. This approach would allow the government to control these patents and potentially reduce drug prices significantly. The primary aim is to improve affordability and limit the pricing power of pharmaceutical companies, making essential medicines more accessible and reducing overall healthcare costs.

The proposed action relies on the government's authority to challenge patents on drugs that received federal support during development. By doing so, the White House aims to create a competitive market for these drugs, enabling lower-cost alternatives to enter and drive down prices. This aligns with the Biden administration's broader efforts to address healthcare affordability and accessibility.

While specific implementation details are pending, this move signals a proactive step to address rising prescription drug costs and ensure that taxpayer-funded research results in more affordable healthcare options for the public. It reflects the administration's commitment to making essential medicines more affordable and accessible to all Americans.