The biopharmaceutical industry should maintain its high standards for evidence and data, but should also be open to new pathways for evidence as interest in real-world evidence continues to grow, Aetion CEO Carolyn Magill writes in a recent article published on MedCity News. Magill points to the […]
Hospitals, Insurers Eye Drug Rebate Rule
Insurers and hospitals say the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) should include in a recently-proposed rule some new requirements for pharmaceutical companies, Modern Healthcare reports. Organizations in response to the rule suggested that eliminating safe harbor for Medicare Part D […]
PBMs Testify Before Senate Finance Committee
Pharmacy benefit managers mostly dodged questions from policymakers during a Senate Finance Committee hearing Tuesday, STAT reports. However, Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) floated the possibility of legislative action. "Ranking member Wyden and I are committed to working on […]
PhRMA Responds to OIG’s Rebate Proposal
PhRMA on Monday, April 8, submitted comments on the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General's proposed rule for addressing the current rebate system. The rule, "Removal of Safe Harbor Protection for Rebates Involving Prescription Pharmaceuticals and Creation of New Safe […]
Xarelto Ad with List Price Airs
Johnson & Johnson's new television ad for its blood thinner Xarelto hit the air March 29, becoming the first direct-to-consumer ad in the U.S. to feature the drug's list price, MM&M reports. The end of the advertisement includes the drug's list price ($448/month), as well as out-of-pocket […]
Article: More Robust Regulations Needed to Wrangle Private Health Care
A recent article by economist Craig Garthwaite urges stronger regulations to address key problems in private health care, and that private organizations should "support efforts to fix competition ... ." "Our biggest policy mistakes result from writing poor regulations that either explicitly or […]
ICER White Paper Outlines Three Alternative Models for Pharma Rebates
A newly-released white paper by the Institute for Clinical and Economic (ICER), in partnership with the Office of Health Economics (OHE), offers a look at three potential alternative models for pharmaceutical rebates. The paper, "Value, Access, and Incentives for Innovation: Policy Perspectives on […]
Embattled Pharma Bolsters Lobbying Efforts Amid Pushback
As it continues to face widespread criticism and condemnation for high drug prices, the pharmaceutical industry is bolstering its lobbying efforts in Washington, according to a Bloomberg Government report. The political landscape, however, according to Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing spokesman […]
Centene, RxAdvance Look to Shake Up Environment Despite Skepticism
Centene and its new pharmacy benefit manager partner RxAdvance are looking to deliver "disruption" and "unparalleled savings," according to a Healthcare Dive report, but skepticism remains over the venture's ability to compete. While the 6-year-old PBM touts itself as more transparent than […]
Sen. Durbin Slams Pharma Over Opioid Crisis
Sen. Dick Durbin during a Senate hearing on Thursday took the pharmaceutical industry to task over the ongoing opioid crisis, MedPage Today reports. Durbin pointed to a committee hearing several years ago in which it was disclosed the pharmaceutical industry sought permission to produce some 14 […]
