A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Next Generation Medicines Act of 2026," proposes to amend title XI of the Social Security Act. The main goal is to adjust the rules for engineered cyclic peptides within the Drug Price Negotiation Program. It specifically changes the time period for these drugs from 7 years to 11 years. The bill provides a specific definition for what qualifies as an "engineered cyclic peptide." These changes would apply to lists published on or after the date the act is enacted.
Yes
- Scored +3
Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer?
The bill provides extended market exclusivity for a specific class of engineered medicines, which favors pharmaceutical innovation incentives.
The opposite· 3 of 9
- Scored -3
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?
The bill delays the price negotiation of engineered cyclic peptides from 7 years to 11 years, potentially keeping prices higher for longer.
- Scored -2
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Seniors who rely on Medicare may face higher costs for engineered cyclic peptide drugs for a longer period due to delayed price negotiations.
- Scored -2
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Delayed drug price negotiations can lead to higher out-of-pocket costs for essential medications for low-income individuals.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Extended protection for specific drugs: For drugs classified as an engineered cyclic peptide, the time period is increased from 7 years to 11 years (Section 2(a)(1)). This change adjusts which drugs are qualifying single source drugs for purposes of the Drug Price Negotiation Program.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Changes to the Drug Price Negotiation Program: The bill adjusts the timeframes used for qualifying single source drugs (Section 2(a)(1)). This modification impacts how the Drug Price Negotiation Program treats engineered cyclic peptides.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Delayed drug price negotiations can lead to higher out-of-pocket costs for essential medications for low-income individuals. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The extension of drug exclusivity may result in higher healthcare expenditures for middle-income families. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Increased costs for specialized medications due to delayed negotiations may disproportionately impact people with disabilities. Would retired people be better off under this? — The bill delays cost-reduction measures for drugs that retirees frequently use through Medicare. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors who rely on Medicare may face higher costs for engineered cyclic peptide drugs for a longer period due to delayed price negotiations. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The delay in price negotiations may result in higher drug costs for veterans utilizing government-provided healthcare.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The extension of the exclusivity period for engineered cyclic peptides delays the price negotiation process intended to lower costs for consumers. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — By extending the period before engineered cyclic peptides are subject to price negotiation, the bill may reduce the government's ability to lower drug costs through the program.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer? — The bill provides extended market exclusivity for a specific class of engineered medicines, which favors pharmaceutical innovation incentives.
- Healthcare
- Does this lower the price of prescription medicines? — The bill delays the price negotiation of engineered cyclic peptides from 7 years to 11 years, potentially keeping prices higher for longer.
- 8/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/15/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Thomas KeanRepublican · New Jersey
August PflugerRepublican · Texas