Trump Marketing Curbs Worry Brand Drug Makers
President Trump’s order to curb advertising for pharmaceutical drugs on television is creating anxiety for brand drug makers, advertising firms, and broadcasters. They say it could pose an existential threat to them. Media companies brought in $5 billion in advertising revenue from pharmaceutical companies in 2024.
The order does not outright ban direct-to-consumer advertising of drugs. Trump does not have the authority to do that, but health chief Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. wants to ban them. But the administration is using its executive and regulatory authority to ensure “transparency and accuracy” in direct-to-consumer advertising, including requiring greater disclosures of side effects in television and other ads. The administration also has sent cease-and-desist letters to some large drug manufacturers to combat “egregious violations demonstrating harm” in the marketing of high-cost prescription drugs.
The president is absolutely right on this one.
#drugpricing #marketing #branddrugmakers
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5500949-trump-administration-pharma-advertising-curbs
GOP Lawmakers Want No Surprises Act Enforcement
Showing the hold that providers have on all parties in Congress, a group of GOP lawmakers wrote to the administration to demand stepped up enforcement of the No Surprises Act. Chief among the lawmakers’ complaints were insurer compliance, including finalizing a clear and consistent payment amount calculation methodology, lack of access to advanced explanation of benefits (EOBs) from plans, and addressing arbitration efficiency issues and payment delays.
As well, providers say 24% of settled disputes were not paid or were paid an incorrect amount within the 30-day post-arbitration payment timeline.
Of course, the GOP lawmakers are missing the real flaw – the fact that the law is slanted to providers, is being abused by private-equity-backed firms, and prices and costs are being driven up due to the law.
#nsa #nosurprisesact #pricetransparency #surprisebilling
More Evidence Big 3 PBMs’ Share Shrinking
Another survey finds that employers are moving to transparency arrangements when selecting a pharmacy benefits manager (PBM). A survey from the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions found that nearly two-thirds of purchasers are either considering changing their PBMs in the coming years or have already done so recently. Transparency is becoming more important.
Transparent PBMs’ employer market share more than doubled in the past year, with the Big 3 PBM’s dropping from 72% to 61% since 2024. Employers also reported lower average annual premium costs with transparent PBMs.
#pbms #drugpricing #transparency #employercoverage
https://www.beckerspayer.com/research-analysis/reliance-on-big-3-pbms-is-shrinking-survey
United Increases Lobbying Spend To Befriend D.C.
UnitedHealth Group has significantly increased its lobbying efforts and executive outreach to the Trump administration this year. Stung by federal probes and financial woes, it is doing everything it can to survive any number of financial and regulatory messes.
In 2025, the company’s lobbying efforts have cost $7.7 million in the first half of the year, or about double from the same period last year.
#unitedhealthcare #lobbying #trump
https://www.beckerspayer.com/payer/unitedhealth-seeking-influence-with-trump-administration-report
Dems Want Subsidies Extended To Keep Government Open
Democrats continue to beat the drum that they will only support keeping the government open after September 30 if Republicans agree to extend the expiring Exchange premium subsidy enhancements.
#governmentshutdown #ffy2026 #healthcare #exchanges
https://thehill.com/homenews/5501630-obamacare-fight-meets-shutdown-politics-what-to-know
— Marc S. Ryan
