Skip to main content
HR 938 116th Congress House Health Competition and antitrust Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation Health care costs and insurance Health care coverage and access Licensing and registrations Marketing and advertising Prescription drugs

BLOCKING Act of 2019

Introduced: April 8, 2019 See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 2, 2019
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 24.
May 2, 2019
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-46.
Apr 3, 2019
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Apr 3, 2019
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 27, 2019
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
Mar 27, 2019
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 2, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jan 31, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 31, 2019
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Bringing Low-cost Options and Competition while Keeping Incentives for New Generics Act of 2019 or the BLOCKING Act of 2019

This bill modifies provisions related to market exclusivity for a generic drug.

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) awards 180 days of exclusivity on the market to a first applicant to file a qualifying application for market approval of a generic drug. Generally, this exclusivity period begins upon a first applicant's commercial marketing of the drug.

The bill authorizes the FDA to approve a subsequent generic drug application prior to a first applicant's first date of commercial marketing if (1) the subsequent application is ready for full approval, (2) a first applicant's application has been pending for at least 30 months, and (3) the approval of a first applicant's application is not precluded by patent infringement claims asserted against that first applicant.

What's happening now May 2, 2019

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 24.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • HR 19 Related bill Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019
  • HR 987 Related bill Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act
  • HR 2700 Related bill Lowering Prescription Drug Costs and Extending Community Health Centers and Other Public Health Priorities Act
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 11
All 11 Democratic 7 Republican 2
Meadows, Mark
· May 1, 2019
 D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · Apr 8, 2019
WALDEN, GREG
· Apr 8, 2019
 D
Clarke, Yvette D.
New York · Apr 2, 2019
 R
Van Drew, Jefferson
New Jersey · Mar 29, 2019
 D
Matsui, Doris O.
California · Mar 27, 2019
 D
Dingell, Debbie
Michigan · Mar 26, 2019
 D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Mar 26, 2019
 D
Ruiz, Raul
California · Mar 26, 2019
 D
Craig, Angie
Minnesota · Mar 25, 2019
 R
Carter, Earl L. "Buddy"
Georgia · Jan 31, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 938: BLOCKING Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-938/
MLA
"H.R. 938: BLOCKING Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-938/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 938, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-938/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 938: BLOCKING Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-938/)
Report a problem