Although it was sold as a harmless extension of a policy that applies to brand-name pharmaceuticals, the penalty ignores the fundamental differences between how brand-name and generic medicines are priced. Unless it is repealed, it could destabilize the robust market for generic drugs and impede patient access to affordable, lifesaving drugs.
The Medicaid Generics Penalty is paid by generic drug manufacturers when the Average Manufacturer Price (AMP) of a generic drug sold to Medicaid rises faster than the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over a three-month period. While this is ostensibly designed to prevent manufacturers from raising prices, the penalty is often triggered by forces beyond the manufacturer’s control and not by price increases.
The measure could force generic manufacturers out of the marketplace if they must sell their products to Medicaid at a loss. Fewer generic manufacturers could lead to shortages of the life-saving medications patients rely on. A new analysis from Bates-White concludes that the Medicaid Generics Penalty “will have the unanticipated and unintended consequence of increasing the likelihood of shortages for generic medicines.”
Contact your representative and tell him or her to repeal the Medicaid Generics Penalty. It hurts Medicaid participants — the most vulnerable among us — and impeding access to affordable medicines for all patients.
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