Changes To Part D Protected Classes Uniformly Opposed At House Hearing

 
• By Cathy Kelly

In a hearing on CMS’ proposed Medicare Part D rule, members of the Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee agreed that the potential cost savings to Medicare through its plan to remove antidepressants, antipsychotics and immunosuppressants from Part D “protected class” status do not outweigh the downside for beneficiaries.

CMS Deputy Administrator Jonathan Blum was bombarded with opposition to the agency’s proposal to remove three drug classes from “protected” status in the Medicare Part D program from both Democrats and Republicans on the Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee at a Feb. 26 hearing.

No one on the subcommittee or on a stakeholder panel testifying at the hearing expressed support for the proposal, which...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Pink Sheet for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from United States

BIO Notebook: Policy Problems, ACIP’s Future, BI Is Popular, Makary On FDA-Industry Ties

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith and Mandy Jackson

Highlights from Day Two of the BIO International Convention include BIO officials raising concerns about Trump Administration policies, the future of ACIP, an interview with BI's head of global business development, and FDA Commissioner Martin Makary's view of the FDA-industry relationship.

National Priority Voucher Gives US FDA Commissioner Tool For Radical Regulatory Surgery

 
• By Bridget Silverman

US FDA Commissioner Martin Makary will establish "national priorities" used to select sponsors for the pilot of “tumor board-style” drug reviews that would start before Phase III is completed.

US FDA’s CoGenT Pilot At Risk? Project Orbis Success May Not Save Cell/Gene Therapy Initiative

 
• By Bridget Silverman

Despite following the path of the popular Project Orbis, the cell and gene therapy international collaborative review pilot is being reconsidered by the FDA's new management.

BIO Notebook: PRVs Need To Be A Priority, IPO Window Shut And Focusing On Gene Therapy Safety

 
• By Mandy Jackson and Sarah Karlin-Smith

Highlights from day one of the BIO convention include advice for firms hoping to go public, a call for companies to push the US Congress on rare disease priority review vouchers, and updates on next-generation gene therapies.

More from North America

BIO Notebook: PRVs Need To Be A Priority, IPO Window Shut And Focusing On Gene Therapy Safety

 
• By Mandy Jackson and Sarah Karlin-Smith

Highlights from day one of the BIO convention include advice for firms hoping to go public, a call for companies to push the US Congress on rare disease priority review vouchers, and updates on next-generation gene therapies.

Lupin Concedes To Harmony On Generic Wakix With 2030 Launch Agreement

 
• By Dean Rudge

Lupin became the latest ANDA sponsor to settle patent-infringement litigation over Harmony Biosciences’ Wakix (pitolisant hydrochloride), which has been touted as a potential blockbuster.

Post-Approval, Real-Time Monitoring Will Help Approval Standards, US FDA’s Makary Says

 
• By Sue Sutter

The FDA will use electronic health records to “get eyes” on drugs immediately after approval, Commissioner Martin Makary told the DIA 2025 Global Annual Meeting. He also wants to reduce development time with better communication and new approval pathways.