USTRx Act
Latest action (5 Aug 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
Bill text noted — S. 5265 (USTRx Act). Here's the plain-English summary:
The USTRx Act would create a new "Chief Pharmaceutical Trade Negotiator" position within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, responsible for negotiating and enforcing trade rules related to U.S. pharmaceutical products and pushing for full market access for U.S. drugmakers abroad. The bill also directs USTR to compile an annual list of "high income" countries (as defined by World Bank statistics) and publish a yearly report evaluating whether each country's drug-pricing and reimbursement policies are transparent, market-based, non-discriminatory, and consistent with U.S. trade agreements, or whether they unfairly limit U.S. pharmaceutical market access or innovation incentives.
The bill primarily affects U.S. trade policy toward wealthy foreign countries with government-set drug pricing systems, and it directly concerns the pharmaceutical industry, USTR, and Congress's trade oversight committees. If USTR determines a country's practices meet the bill's criteria, the law would require USTR to send Congress a response plan within 30 days, which could include opening a formal trade investigation under existing U.S. trade law.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on August 5, 2026, by Sen. Tim Sheehy with two cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Finance. It has not yet received a committee vote, floor vote, or further action; committee consideration would be the next step before it could advance.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
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.
Common questions
- What does S. 5265 do?
- Bill text noted — S. 5265 (USTRx Act). Here's the plain-English summary: The USTRx Act would create a new "Chief Pharmaceutical Trade Negotiator" position within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, responsible for negotiating and enforcing trade rules related to U.S. pharmaceutical products and pushing for full market access for U.S. drugmakers abroad. The bill also directs USTR to compile an annual list of "high income" countries (as defined by World Bank statistics) and publish a yearly report evaluating whether each country's drug-pricing and reimbursement policies are transparent, market-based, non-discriminatory, and consistent with U.S. trade agreements, or whether they unfairly limit U.S. pharmaceutical market access or innovation incentives. The bill primarily affects U.S. trade policy toward wealthy foreign countries with government-set drug pricing systems, and it directly concerns the pharmaceutical industry, USTR, and Congress's trade oversight committees. If USTR determines a country's practices meet the bill's criteria, the law would require USTR to send Congress a response plan within 30 days, which could include opening a formal trade investigation under existing U.S. trade law. The bill was introduced in the Senate on August 5, 2026, by Sen. Tim Sheehy with two cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Finance. It has not yet received a committee vote, floor vote, or further action; committee consideration would be the next step before it could advance.
- Has S. 5265 become law?
- Not yet. As of 5 Aug 2026, S. 5265 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 5265?
- S. 5265 was sponsored by Sen. Tim Sheehy [R-MT] (Republican-MT), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5265?
- Introduced (5 Aug 2026).
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