1. Pink Sheet

The Post Office vs. FedEx?

 
• By Michael McCaughan

One idea the Democrats have for reforming Part D is launching a Medicare-run prescription drug plan. The proposal underscores how much ground Big Pharma has gained since the Medicare debate began.

The starting point for legislative work on making price negotiation a reality is expected to be a bill introduced in February 2005 calling for the Medicare program to launch a government run national prescription drug plan (PDP) to compete against the dozens of private plans in the Medicare market. (See "Interference Pattern," in this issue Also see "Negotiating Price Negotiation: Why the Democrats Will Struggle to Pressure Part D Prices" - Pink Sheet, 1 December, 2006..)

Would anyone sign up for a Medicare-run PDP? In effect, the government would be creating a situation analogous to the...

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 Market Access

More from Pink Sheet

Anti-Vaccine Activists Among New US CDC Vaccine Advisors

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

HHS Secretary Kennedy's new ACIP appointments include multiple members of anti-vaccine groups and people who have spread misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.

US FDA May Consolidate Support Services After Extensive Cuts

 
• By Derrick Gingery and Sue Sutter

Commissioner Martin Makary told staff that plans are being developed to centralize HR, IT, travel and other functions, which were heavily impacted by the 1 April reduction-in-force.

US FDA’s Rising First-Cycle Complete Response Rate Draws Congress’ Attention

 
• By Sue Sutter

The House Appropriations Committee wants an analysis of how issues that led to CRLs could have been resolved within the first review cycle and seeks an agency crackdown on counterfeit GLP-1 agonists.