Inside Congress: Senator Thom Tillis on Drug Pricing, IP, and the Future of Innovation

In this episode of Making Medicine, host John Stanford sits down with Senator Thom Tillis, the first sitting U.S. Senator to join the show. Tillis opens up about his relationship with President Trump, the impact of Most Favored Nation (MFN) drug pricing on U.S. innovation, and the forces shaping America’s biotech competitiveness. They discuss why predictable intellectual property and regulatory frameworks are critical for investment and how the U.S. can maintain a leading edge in life sciences. Don’t miss Tillis’s insights on why he chose not to seek reelection and what might come next for his career.This is a must-listen for anyone interested in biotech policy, life sciences innovation, or U.S. global competitiveness.What do you think about MFN-style pricing in the U.S.?How can policymakers best support biotech innovation?Which part of the life sciences ecosystem do you think needs the most attention right now?If you're new to the Making Medicine Podcast, we're happy you're here! Follow us for more: https://x.com/MakingMedPod https://www.instagram.com/makingmedicinepod/ https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/making-medicine-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=trueTimestamps:0:00 Introduction to Making Medicine and Senator Thom Tillis1:12 Tillis joins the podcast as the first sitting Senator2:05 Early career and motivations in public service4:20 Relationship with President Trump and MFN drug pricing7:35 Potential impacts of MFN-style controls on U.S. innovation 10:10 America’s global biotech competitiveness and China13:50 Importance of IP and regulatory predictability for investment16:25 Reflections on policy successes and challenges18:40 Decision not to seek reelection 20:30 What’s next for Senator Tillis22:00 Key takeaways on biotech policy and U.S. innovation24:15 Closing thoughts and call to actionDISCLAIMER: We’re reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor.