In a new publication in the journal Health Affairs, authors Robert A. Berenson and Robert B. Murray make the case that healthcare price regulation is needed to promote competition within providers and insurers. The authors argue that by regulating prices, more providers and insurers can enter the […]
AJMC Study: Projected US Savings from Biosimilars, 2021-2025
In a recent study published in the American Journal of Managed Care, researchers Andrew Mulcahy, PhD, and colleagues project US spending on biosimilars and estimate the total savings provided by them from 2021-2025. Mulcahy et al. estimate that biosimilars would save $38.4 billion in this time frame […]
Forbes: 2022 Economy, Politics, and Drug Pricing Legislation Predictions
In a Forbes piece published early this month, Joshua Cohen makes predictions about the economy, politics, and drug pricing reform in 2022. Cohen foresees a slow but steady economic recovery and a slight easing of inflation. He also predicts that the Democrats will cling to their House majority and […]
Pfizer, Gilead, and Vertex Raise Prices on Blockbuster Drugs
Major pharmaceutical companies are hiking prices on their blockbuster drugs for 2022. Pfizer is spiking the price of its cancer drug Ibrance by 6.9% and raising the cost of several other drugs by up to 10%. Vertex’s CF drug Trikafta will increase by 4.9%, a $15,000/year increase per patient. […]
Cancer Patients Save Money on Medication Due to ‘Skinny Labeling’
A new study finds that applying a ‘skinny label’ to the generic cancer drug Gleevec made the medicine available for more patients at a cheaper cost. Skinny labeling is the practice of getting approval for a generic for a specific purpose instead of the range of uses it is patented for. This allows […]
China National Insurance System and Pharma Reach Pricing Agreement
Pharma and the Chinese government have reached an agreement resulting in price cuts averaging over 60% for Chinese citizens. The price cuts come in exchange for placement on China’s National Reimbursement Drug List, which allows the drug to be reimbursed by the national insurance system, providing […]
Prior Authorization Examined from the Health Reporter’s Perspective
Prior authorization is a point of conflict between doctors and insurers in the United States, often dragging patients along in the process. In an article in The Journalist’s Resource by Kerry Dooley Young, the current role of prior authorization in healthcare is discussed, emphasizing recent efforts […]
Integrated Prescription Discount Card Pricing Plan from Express Scripts
The new Right Price offering by Express Scripts automatically applies prescription discount card savings into the price at the point of sale. This program helps patients easily get the best price for their medications without extra effort, regardless of insurance status. Right Price is just one of […]
Company Formerly Owned by Martin Shkreli Fined $40 Million
Vyera Pharmaceuticals, formerly headed by the now-incarcerated Martin Shkreli, was fined $40 million for dramatically spiking the price of Daraprim, an HIV drug used to prevent pneumonia in HIV patients. The fine comes in response to the company plotting to block out competitors from selling the […]
IQVIA Institute Report: The Global Use of Medicines 2022
The IQVIA institute has released a report on global spending on medicines medicine during 2021 and projections up until 2026. The report, released last December, predicts that COVID-19 vaccinations will constitute a massive chunk of medicine spending over the next five years. In total, growth for […]
