Conservatism is built on the foundational principles of individual freedom, free markets, and fiscal responsibility. So why aren’t we leading the charge to expand access to generic drugs?
A recent White House Executive Order from President Trump aims to reduce drug costs by 30 to 80 percent — or in some cases, 90 percent — by tying U.S. prices to those paid by other major countries. “The United States will no longer tolerate profiteering and price gouging from Big Pharma,” the President declared, adding that Americans shouldn’t pay three times more for the same medicines made in the same factories.
A commonsense conservative solution to accomplish the President’s goals would be expanding access to generic medicines. At its core, this would be Free Market 101. Big Pharma would get all the monopoly profits they deserve during the long life of their patents, but when the patents expire, it’s time for competition and affordable generic drugs that represent the best of capitalism: lower prices, more consumer choices, and space for new market players to thrive. Unfortunately, all too often Big Pharma abuses the patent system and the courts to delay and bully generic competitors and maintain market exclusivity. In doing so, they are unfairly choking off competition and hurting America’s families.
Generic drugs dramatically lower healthcare expenses for everyone. They can cost up to 85% less than their brand-name equivalents, saving money for families, businesses that provide or contribute to employees’ health coverage, and insurance companies. For the conservative movement, rooted in fiscal responsibility and concern about inflation, promoting generic medicines is a no-brainer.
Government budgets would also benefit from greater access to generics. Medicare and Medicaid are massive drivers of skyrocketing government expenditures. The longer those programs are unfairly forced to pay inflated brand drug prices, the more our federal deficit balloons, and taxpayers are left to foot the bill. Generics help rein in those costs without sacrificing quality care — something conservatives should demand more of, not less. And governors will save money too, as their states’ insurance coverage of thousands of state employees will cost less when generic medicines gain market share.
Just as importantly, generics empower families. Affordable prescriptions mean parents don’t have to choose between their child’s medication and their own, and seniors on fixed incomes aren’t forced to ration life-saving drugs like insulin. Conservatives have long championed personal responsibility and self-reliance — this is that principle in action.
Fighting for generics also offers an opportunity to fight crony capitalism. There’s a reason HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who now oversees the FDA, supports aggressive action. Big Pharma exploits our federal patent and drug approval systems, then unleashes trial lawyers on generics manufacturers. Patent thickets and litigation are cynical tactics that Big Pharma uses to protect its sky-high profits. The most recent trend is that when Big Pharma loses to the generics in court, they quickly get new ancillary, low-value patents and sue again, or buy patents from competitors and sue again — often, they sue four, five, and six times to block the same generic medicine. These are the same anti-competitive, anti-market strategies conservatives oppose in every other sector.
Finally, affordable prescriptions can do more than save lives — they can help restore trust in our institutions. If the public sees government and industry working together to lower drug prices and provide better access to vital medicines, they will be reminded that the system can still work for the people, not just the powerful. That’s good for our republic.
Access to cheaper generics aligns closely with core conservative values of free markets, fiscal responsibility, personal freedom, empowering families, and national strength. It’s time for Republicans at all levels to unite behind expanding generic drug access. Let’s show America that conservatism delivers on both values and results.
Scottie Nell Hughes is a Senior Fellow at Frontiers of Freedom.
