WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 17, 2025) – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) today released the following statement after the Biden administration released a list of 15 medicines being selected for government price setting:“In the final hours of this administration, President Biden is doubling down on a flawed drug pricing scheme that is jeopardizing seniors’ access to important medicines and undermining the development of new cures and treatments.“Patients with cancer, mental health illnesses, rare diseases and other conditions are experiencing longer, healthier lives because of the work of innovator companies. And yet this law is upending an innovation ecosystem that countless people rely on. Allowing the government to politicize the research and development of new medicines takes away hope from patients and their loved ones. At the same time, it doesn’t address the real reasons why some patients can’t afford their medicines when they go to the pharmacy.“Patients and biotech researchers are looking to this new Congress and administration to fix the flaws in this law and to rein in practices by insurers and drug middlemen that make medicines less accessible and affordable for patients. We stand ready to help lawmakers deliver these solutions for the American people.” 

Today the dispute settlement panel formed under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) issued a final ruling related to Mexico's restrictions on the importation of genetically modified (GM) corn. In response, John Crowley, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), issued the following statement:"Today’s decision by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) dispute panel serves as a monumental victory for the future innovation of agricultural production technologies and the millions of consumers worldwide who stand to benefit from their use. “For decades, rules-based trade agreements have allowed the United States and its trading partners to thrive—encouraging the advancement of new technologies designed to mitigate the impact of climate change and increase global food security. "BIO is grateful for the panel’s time, applauds its thoughtful review of this important issue, and will continue to advocate for the global implementation of food policy standards that are both transparent and science-based with respect to genetic engineering of food products.”

John F. Crowley, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), today released the following statement ahead of an expected vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on a year-end government funding bill that includes many urgent and bipartisan health care and agricultural priorities and programs: “Congress now has a pivotal opportunity to pass reforms and to authorize funding for programs that will make a meaningful difference to advance the health and well-being of the American people. This bipartisan health care agreement advances policies that will also strengthen American competitiveness in biotechnology, improve our response to future pandemics and help to make life-saving medicines more affordable. “The agreement includes bipartisan reforms that will bring more transparency to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), middlemen who add wasteful costs to the healthcare system. Advancing these PBM reforms will begin to break the pernicious link between the fees that PBMs charge and the cost of medicines. Now is the time to take these important steps toward improving access to prescription medicines for patients, employers and taxpayers. “The legislation further renews a vitally important law that has helped our nation prepare and respond to public health emergencies.  It also extends the Pediatric Priority Review Voucher (PPRV) program until September 2029.  This program is a market-based mechanism that has incentivized the development of dozens of new treatments for patients with the most rare and devastating pediatric diseases. I’d like to offer a special thank you to the countless patient advocates who worked with us and others to ensure that the PPRV program was reauthorized.“Additionally, the extension of the farm bill provides critical support to American farmers, ranchers and innovators, and enables continued research, development and sustainability of our nation’s food and renewable fuel supply.“We urge lawmakers…