FDA takes bigger role in lowering drug prices

The Food and Drug Administration isn't standing on the sidelines anymore on fighting rising drug prices.

In a major shift, new Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is creating an action plan to spur more competition and lower prices. The plan comes as the Republican-controlled Congress is looking to make changes at the FDA to address high prices by getting cheaper generics to the market faster.

The decision by the GOP to focus on FDA changes is the latest rebuke to Democratic-proposed reforms, such as giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices and allowing people to buy cheap drugs from Canada.

The FDA will play the most pivotal part in the GOP's regulatory-focused effort on high prices.

Gottlieb told Congress recently that the agency is creating a drug competition action plan intended to lower prices. The move represents a major shift from the FDA's longtime philosophy on drug pricing. The agency does not take into account price when evaluating products, instead focusing on ensuring that they are safe and effective.