The Supreme Court's decision last week to leave the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act largely untouched assures key elements fought for by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and the Biotechnology Industry Organization will stand, at least until year end.

The ruling preserves PhRMA's deal with the White House and the Senate Finance Committee to pay more than $80 billion in taxes, rebates and fees over 10 years in exchange for a larger market, no rebates for beneficiaries who are eligible for both Medicare Part D and Medicaid, and no drug importation. It also preserves the biosimilars pathway and the 12-year exclusivity period for innovators that was a hot button for BIO.