US Congress · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

S 1041Passed Origin Chamber

Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act

Source of recordUS Congress · congress.govLast synced Aug 11, 2026

Chamber

Senate

Progress

Where this bill stands in the legislative process.

Introduced
Passed Senate
Passed House
To President
Became Law

Overview

The Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act aims to reduce barriers to biosimilar drug development by limiting the number of patents that reference product manufacturers can assert against companies seeking to market biosimilar versions. Specifically, it restricts the number of patents a reference product manufacturer can use in an infringement lawsuit to a maximum of 20, with a limit of 10 patents filed more than four years after the original drug’s approval. This legislation seeks to encourage competition and potentially lower drug costs for patients.

Key provisions

Limits the number of patents a reference product manufacturer can assert in an infringement lawsuit to 20.
Limits the number of patents filed more than four years after the reference product’s approval to 10.
Applies to lawsuits filed against companies seeking to market biosimilar versions of drugs.
Allows a court to increase the patent limit if justice requires or for good cause.
Excludes patents claiming methods for using the biologic drug.
Requires the biosimilar manufacturer to complete specific actions under the abbreviated approval process.
The limitation does not apply to patents covering methods of using the biologic drug for therapy, diagnosis, or prophylaxis.
Provides a mechanism for the court to increase the patent limit if the biosimilar applicant fails to provide necessary information.

Who is affected

Bill text

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Mar 13, 2025XMLView source

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Legislative history

11 recorded actions

Mar 13, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mar 13, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Apr 3, 2025Senate

Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

Apr 10, 2025Senate

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 44.

Apr 10, 2025Senate

Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with amendments. Without written report.

Apr 10, 2025

Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with amendments. Without written report.

Jul 21, 2026House

Held at the desk.

Jul 21, 2026House

Received in the House.

Jul 21, 2026Senate

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Jul 21, 2026Senate

Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4198-4199; text: CR S4199)

Jul 21, 2026

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.

Votes

Recorded roll calls and chamber actions on this bill.

Passage without roll call

The official record shows passage by unanimous consent or voice vote where no roll call was taken. No member-level tally is available for these steps, and the district map does not apply.

7/21/2026SenateUnanimous consent
Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4198-4199; text: CR S4199)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
7/21/2026Unanimous consent
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls list how each member voted. Unanimous consent or voice vote appears in the official action history without a roll call; no member-level tally is available for those steps.

Passage without roll call

Jul 21, 2026SenateUnanimous consent
Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4198-4199; text: CR S4199)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
Jul 21, 2026Unanimous consent
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Geography

Recorded positions across the country.

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments

Reasons offered for and against this legislation.

Arguments in favor

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Arguments opposed

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Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act

Progress