Trump May Support Changes To Medicare Drug Negotiations
Big Pharma says that President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are sympathetic to the drug lobby’s concerns regarding the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) “pill penalty” provision within the Medicare drug price negotiations.
Drug makers say the law discourages research into small molecule drugs. Small-molecule drugs are exempt from Medicare drug price setting for nine years after FDA approval, while biologics are exempt for 13 years. Big Pharma has been lobbying to extend the small-molecule drug exclusivity period to 13 years.
Some congressional bills would extend the period before price negotiation can begin for small molecule drugs to match biologics.
(Article may require a subscription.)
#ira #drugpricing #branddrugmakers
https://insidehealthpolicy.com/daily-news/pfizer-ceo-trump-kennedy-sympathetic-pill-penalty-concerns
Makary Backs Swifter Approval of Generics
President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. Marty Makary, pledged to accelerate the approval of biosimilars and generic drugs, allow over-the-counter access to certain prescription products, crack down on pharmaceutical patent tactics, and integrate artificial intelligence in the drug review process.
(Article may require a subscription.)
#drugpricing #generics #branddrugmakers #biosimilars #patents
https://insidehealthpolicy.com/daily-news/makary-vows-speed-drug-approvals-expand-otc-access
Lessons Learned From Change Healthcare Cyberattack
The Change Healthcare cyberattack occurred one year ago. Fallout continues. This article discusses lessons learned from the attack and the need for readiness.
In other news, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is suing Change Healthcare over the cyberattack.
Additional article: https://www.beckerspayer.com/payer/carefirst-bcbs-sues-change-healthcare-over-cyberattack.html
#cyberattacks #changehealthcare #healthplans #providers
Private Equity Buys Walgreens
Private equity firm Sycamore Partners will buy Walgreens Boots Alliance, a struggling retail pharmacy chain in America and the U.K. The firm will pay about $10 billion to take the company private but could eventually pay out $23.7 billion.
Additional article: https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/retail/sycamore-partners-take-walgreens-private-deal-valued-10b and https://www.modernhealthcare.com/mergers-acquistions/walgreens-sold-private-equity-sycamore-partners
(Some articles may require a subscription.)
#walgreens
https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/walgreens-go-private-acquired-sycamore-partners/741908
Protest In DC Over Science Funding Cuts
Hundreds of people gathered in D.C to protest recent cuts to government spending on research institutions carried out by the Trump administration. The freezes and reductions, some enjoined by federal courts, have also met the wrath of lawmakers. The cuts and freezes have had major impacts at healthcare agencies.
Studies would show that the U.S. leads other nations in the amount it directs to research and science and that it has meaningfully increased innovation and productivity since the end of World War II.
#trump #congress #doge #spending #healthcare
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5183631-protest-trump-cuts-nih-research
Another Poll Shows Support For Medicaid
A new poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) finds that a majority of Americans, including people who voted for President Trump, do not want to see Medicaid funding cut. More than 80 percent of respondents, including majorities of Democrats, Republicans, independents, Trump voters, and adults living in rural areas, said Medicaid funding should either increase or be kept about the same.
In other news, Rep. Greg Murphy, R-NC and co-leader of the House GOP Doctors Caucus, worries that if nothing is done to solve the Medicare physician rate cuts that doctors will no longer be able to afford to run their own private practices. The erosion of independent practices has been marked over the past several decades and Medicare is a strong funding source for doctors.
Kaiser resources: https://www.kff.org/medicaid/press-release/poll-with-more-than-half-the-public-saying-they-or-a-family-member-have-been-covered-by-medicaid-large-majorities-dont-want-cuts-including-most-trump-voters-and-rural-residents/ and https://www.kff.org/medicaid/poll-finding/7-charts-about-public-opinion-on-medicaid/ and https://www.kff.org/medicaid/poll-finding/kff-health-tracking-poll-public-views-on-potential-changes-to-medicaid/
Additional article: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5181643-murphy-fears-more-medicare-pay-cuts-will-kill-private-practice/
#medicaid #trump #budgetreconciliation #medicare #physicians #rates
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5182863-medicaid-funding-poll-republicans/?tbref=hp
— Marc S. Ryan
