U.S. Representatives Vern Buchanan and Jodey Arrington have reintroduced the USTRx Act, which seeks to address concerns about foreign price controls that may increase drug costs for Americans. The proposed legislation would establish a Chief Pharmaceutical Trade Negotiator within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). This new official would be responsible for identifying and annually reporting on international price-setting practices that are seen as placing an undue burden on American patients, while also recommending possible trade remedies.
“American patients are paying more for life-saving medicines because foreign countries are free-riding on U.S. investment and innovation,” said Buchanan. “This is not only unfair, it’s unsustainable. I’m proud to join Chairman Arrington in introducing the USTRx Act to hold foreign governments accountable, stop price-setting practices that hurt American families and ensure those in need continue to have access to affordable, life-saving medicines. The United States must remain a global leader in medical innovation, but not at the expense of hardworking Americans.”
Arrington echoed these sentiments, saying: “American innovation spurs medical breakthroughs that have improved care and saved lives around the world, but for far too long, foreign countries have gotten a free ride by imposing price controls on U.S. companies’ state-of-the-art treatments for their own citizens while increasing costs for patients here. Enough is enough. My USTRx Act will expose this harmful practice, hold these countries accountable, and ensure that hardworking Americans have access to the affordable, life-saving medicines they need.”
The bill follows ongoing debate over how international policies impact domestic drug prices. According to supporters of the measure, although Americans make up less than 5 percent of the world’s population, they contribute nearly 75 percent of global pharmaceutical profits each year. In 2023 alone, pharmaceutical manufacturers invested over $96 billion in research and development worldwide; more than $71 billion came from sources within the United States.
Buchanan has focused on reducing health care expenses during his time representing Florida’s 16th congressional district since 2007 https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/B001260. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives before joining Congress https://www.buchanan.house.gov/about/. Buchanan was born in Detroit in 1951 and now lives in Sarasota.
As chairman of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee and a senior member of its Trade Subcommittee, Buchanan recently led a letter with Arrington and other colleagues supporting efforts by the U.S. Trade Representative to confront what they call “foreign freeloading” on American-financed pharmaceutical innovation.
