AAM backs funding bill provisions, urges tougher PBM action

US generics lobby the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM) has welcomed passage of Q1/Q2 provisions in recent US funding legislation, arguing they will speed access to lower-cost medicines.

The group also used the moment to press the US Congress for stronger action against pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices it says hinder competition.

AAM said the measures would reduce regulatory delays by allowing the US Food and Drug Administration to clarify why a proposed generic is not considered the same as a branded reference drug. The association claims the changes could save the US healthcare system more than $1 billion.