US Federal Senate Bill SB3751

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/26
• Refer: 1/29/26

Caption

Prescription Drug Supply Chain Pricing Transparency Act

Summary

SB 3751, the Prescription Drug Supply Chain Pricing Transparency Act, would require the Comptroller General (GAO) to study how compensation and payment structures tied to drug prices operate within the retail prescription drug supply chain. The bill focuses on intermediaries such as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), Part D plan sponsors, wholesalers, pharmacies, manufacturers, pharmacy services administrative organizations, brokers, auditors, consultants, and rebate aggregators or similar entities that negotiate or process price concessions. The required study would examine the types, size, prevalence, and pricing benchmarks of price-based compensation arrangements; the business models used by each category of intermediary; differences between affiliated and unaffiliated entities; potential conflicts of interest created by percentage-based fees; trends over time and across market segments, including Medicare Part D and Medicaid; and the factors driving the use of these structures. Within two years of enactment, GAO would have to submit a report to Congress with its findings and any recommendations for legislative or administrative action.

Impact

The bill does not directly change drug pricing rules or reimbursement formulas, but it would amend Section 1860D-42 of the Social Security Act to add a new GAO study-and-report requirement. Its practical effect would be to create a federal review of price-related compensation practices in the prescription drug supply chain, with particular attention to Medicare Part D and comparisons to Medicaid. The report could inform future legislation or administrative reforms affecting PBMs, plan sponsors, pharmacies, manufacturers, and other supply-chain participants.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a transparency and oversight bill rather than a regulatory overhaul. The sponsorship by Senators Bennett and Lankford suggests bipartisan interest in examining prescription drug pricing practices. Because there are no recorded votes or committee transcripts provided, there is no direct evidence of opposition or support beyond the bill’s introduction and referral, but the overall tone is investigative and reform-oriented.

Contention

The main areas likely to draw scrutiny are the bill’s focus on compensation structures that are tied to drug prices, especially percentage-based fees that could incentivize higher-priced drugs, and the inclusion of PBMs, rebate aggregators, and other intermediaries that are often central to broader drug pricing debates. Potential points of contention include whether the study sufficiently captures the role of affiliated entities, whether it should extend beyond Medicare Part D to broader markets, and whether the findings could be used to justify future restrictions on existing business models. No specific objections are recorded in the provided materials.