Oregon Senate (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Aug. 10, 2020
The Oregon Senate passed a bill on Thursday intended to stop an anti-competitive practice used by pharmaceutical companies.
THE ISSUE: Prescription drugs are increasingly unaffordable.
THE BILL: Senate Bill 764
WHAT IT DOES: Allows the Oregon attorney general to take action against pharmaceutical companies that use agreements to stifle competition.
WHY IT WAS PROPOSED: According to state Sen. Deb Patterson, D-Salem, pharmaceutical companies take legal action against competitors who may be developing a generic version of a drug. As part of the settlement agreement, the pharmaceutical company pays its competitor not to develop the generic version of the drug.
HOW THE MARION/POLK DELEGATION VOTED:
Sen. Brian Boquist, I-Dallas: No
Sen. Peter Courtney, D-Salem: Yes
Sen. Fred Girod, R-Lyons: No
Sen. Deb Patterson, D-Salem: Yes
Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer: No
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: It heads to the House for consideration.
-Jake Thomas
