'Repeal And Replace' Going Relatively Well For Pharma So Far

US White House game plan for repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act includes a proposal for faster generic drug approvals but no direct government price controls.

Capitol House

Direct controls on manufacturer pricing for prescription drugs are not part of the official White House "three-pronged approach" for repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

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Think Tank Suggests CMS, USTR Could Enforce Most Favored Nation, Other Drug Pricing Policies

 
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A Republican think tank suggested variations of the Most Favored Nation and international reference policies in Medicare and Medicaid, as well as tariffs and other trade levers to rebalance drug pricing disparities between US countries and abroad.

CMS Nominee Oz Nears Confirmation Despite Concerns About Medicaid Cuts

 
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Democrats opposed the nomination because they believe Mehmet Oz will not defend Medicaid from spending cuts. His pledge to continue lowering drug costs in Medicare and Medicaid did not offset the concerns.

Branded Pharma And Generics Industries At Odds Over UK VPAG Framework

 

The UK branded drug industry is calling for adjustments to be made to the UK voluntary scheme framework for branded medicines, after the payment rate increased to 22.9% for 2025. Meanwhile, the generics industry says the scheme is functioning “as intended” and opposes any changes.

‘Hope And Scientific Spillover’ – Cross-Atlantic HTA Alliance To Focus On Novel Benefits

 

An initiative run by health technology appraisal (HTA) bodies in the US, Canada and England is looking at how non-traditional treatment benefits, such as the value of hope and scientific spillover, can inform appraisals and understanding of a product’s value.

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England’s NICE Wants Industry Involvement In HTA Sandbox Projects

 

Pharmaceutical companies are being encouraged to reach out to NICE in relation to its HTA Innovation Lab, which provides a sandbox environment in which the health technology assessment body can test new methods of evaluating “innovative and disruptive” therapies.

PBMs Must Prepare For Revival Of Drug Price Transparency Requirements

 

Experts say PBMs should become familiar with transparency rules and prepare to release data, although more legal wrangling could occur.

Is Optum Rx Payment Remodel To Favor Generics A Peace Offering For US FTC?

 

Optum Rx, one of the largest PBMs in the US, declared it was the “first comprehensive, transparent pharmacy services company” after announcing several consumer-friendly changes.