To mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on incentives under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for the development of orphan drugs, and for other purposes.

# HR 7693 Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill aims to help pharmaceutical companies develop drugs for rare diseases by adjusting federal incentives that were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Orphan drugs" are medications for rare conditions that affect small numbers of people. The government normally encourages their development through special tax breaks and other incentives because companies might otherwise skip these drugs due to limited profit potential.

The bill would restore or modify these incentives if the pandemic caused companies to lose ground in their drug development efforts. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies developing rare disease treatments, patients with rare diseases who need new treatment options, and the FDA (the federal agency that approves medications). It has indirect effects on taxpayers, since orphan drug incentives involve government tax breaks and other support. **Current Status** As of now, the bill is in committee, meaning it has been introduced but hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was sponsored by Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ).