Drug pricing maybe alive?

Democratic lawmakers are discussing a possible compromise on lowering prescription drug prices that could revive the issue after it was left out of President Biden’s social spending framework, sources say.

Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.), who had raised objections to previous versions of the drug pricing measure, and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) have made progress towards an agreement on a compromise drug pricing measure, according to Democratic aides and lobbyists.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is helping build support for the potential compromise, which was first reported by Stat.

The Senate remains a question, particularly Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), who has been one of the main obstacles in that chamber to stronger versions of the drug pricing plan.

A spokesperson for Peters cautioned that he will need the sign-off of all 50 Democratic senators.

“Rep. Peters will require the support of 50 Senators before committing to any agreement — that has not yet been achieved,” the spokesperson said. “He remains committed to working in good faith with all of his colleagues in both chambers to pass a bill that will lower drug prices for seniors.”

Scaled-back policy: The potential deal would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, but only for a more limited number of drugs than originally proposed. Namely, the proposal would only allow negotiation on older drugs that no longer are on their period of “exclusivity,” when they are protected from competition.