The Senate has unanimously passed a bill today aimed at preventing drug manufacturers from creating 'patent thickets' to block generic competition. This legislation follows years of bipartisan efforts to lower drug prices by reforming the patent system. Additionally, the bill sets restrictions on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), third-party intermediaries who work with drug manufacturers, pharmacies, and insurance providers. The new regulations aim to address the problem of PBMs steering volume to drugs with the highest rebate rather than the lowest net cost, a practice that has been criticized for increasing drug costs for consumers.