**Kuster’s remarks are available HERE**

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), a member of the prominent Energy and Commerce Committee, participated in a Health Subcommittee hearing to address generic drug shortages that are impacting millions of American patients. During the hearing, Kuster highlighted the need to address manufacturing and supply-chain bottlenecks and the crucial role that generic drugs play in meeting patient demand and lowering costs.

“From cancer patients who cannot access the therapeutics they need to children who are denied care because of supply chain issues, drug shortages have devastating consequences for families across the country,” said Kuster. “Generic drugs account for nearly 90% of prescriptions in the U.S. – but too many barriers prevent patients and doctors from reliably accessing the medications they need. I am fighting to increase transparency between the FDA and drug manufacturers to expand access to generics and address the root causes of these shortages, lower costs for consumers, and ensure patients can access lifesaving care.”

Currently, drug shortages are at a five-year high, with the number of drugs in short supply increasing by 30% last year alone. Many of these products are critical, life-saving medications, including cancer treatment drugs and medication used to treat asthma.

Kuster is a leading voice in Congress to strengthen our health care system and secure our supply chains to prevent future shortages. This week, Kuster introduced two pieces of bipartisan legislation to address current shortages and patent-gaming, the Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medications for Seniors Act and the Medication Affordability and Patent Integrity Act:

• The Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act requires Medicare Part D insurers to include generic and biosimilar drugs in their formularies and prohibits limitations on formulary access through utilization management such as step therapy and prior authorization.

• The Medication Affordability and Patent Integrity Act requires sponsors of drug applications and holders of approved applications to communicate with the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, lowering prescription drug costs by closing oversight gaps that drug manufacturers take advantage of.

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