S. 5265
USTRx Act
Sponsor: Tim Sheehy
2 cosponsors
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
Use Sovereignty To reduce Rx Act or the USTRx Act
This bill establishes the role of Chief Pharmaceutical Trade Negotiator within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The negotiator must conduct trade negotiations, enforce trade agreements relating to U.S. pharmaceutical products, and address acts, policies, or practices of high-income countries that adversely impact the market access of U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers.
The USTR must annually compile a list of high-income countries based on official statistics of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development of the World Bank. Based on that list, the negotiator must submit a report describing (1) such countries' actions and impacts relating to the pharmaceutical trade, and (2) the current status of any responsive actions taken by the United States.
The bill also requires the USTR to submit to Congress a plan to respond to certain adverse acts, policies, or practices of high-income countries that are related to the trade of pharmaceutical products.
Text of the bill
Section 141 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2171) is amended—
(1) in subsection (b)(2)—
(A) in the first sentence, by inserting one Chief Pharmaceutical Trade Negotiator, after one Chief Agricultural Negotiator,; and
(B) by inserting the Chief Pharmaceutical Trade Negotiator, after the Chief Agricultural Negotiator, each place it appears; and
(2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(7) The principal functions of the Chief Pharmaceutical Trade Negotiator shall be to conduct trade negotiations, enforce trade agreements relating to United States pharmaceutical products, and take appropriate action to address acts, policies, or practices of high-income countries that have a significant adverse impact on the ability of United States pharmaceutical manufacturers to enjoy full market access. The Chief Pharmaceutical Trade Negotiator shall be a vigorous advocate on behalf of United States manufacturers and consumers of pharmaceutical products and shall perform such other functions as the United States Trade Representative may direct. In carrying out such duties, the Chief Pharmaceutical Negotiator shall, as appropriate, consult or coordinate with the Chief Intellectual Property Negotiator.