Under Pressure, CMS Backs Off New Part D Protected Class Management

Decision in final rule marks a setback in the Trump Administration’s game plan for lowering drug prices. But CMS proceeds with codifying previous guidance allowing step therapy for Part B drugs in Medicare Advantage.

RollOfDollarswithPills_1200x675
CMS Final Rule On Part D Protected Class Drugs A Win For Manufacturers

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has decided on a much more limited approach to allowing Medicare Part D plans to apply management tools to prescription drugs in the protected classes than previously proposed.

The decision was announced in the final rule on “Modernizing Part D and Medicare Advantage to Lower Drug Prices and Reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenses,” released 16 May.

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

More from Market Access

GLP-1 Pricing ‘Paradigm Shift’ Possible, But Would It Meet Trump’s MFN Goals?

 
• By 

For the Trump Administration, the blockbuster GLP-1 drugs for obesity have become a poster child for the disparity between US and foreign prices.

Japan Price Cuts For Epkinly and Lunsumio Following CEA

 
• By 

Japan is cutting more drug reimbursement prices following cost effectiveness analysis and is applying the methodology to a new group of products including Wegovy and Leqembi.

Rocky Rollout Spells Trouble for Medicare Prescription Payment Plan

 

Enrollment in the new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan was lower than expected in the first year and well below CMS expectations, and invoicing data indicates members are slow to pay.

PBM Investigation, Enforcement Action ‘Critical Priorities’ At FTC, Chair Says

 
• By 

The new FTC chair addressed concerns that staffing cuts will undermine the commission’s commitment to pharmacy benefit manager oversight.

More from Pink Sheet

How Pharma Companies Can Mitigate The Impact Of US Tariffs On The Supply Chain

 
• By 

If US tariffs on pharmaceutical supply chain products come into force they could be disruptive for companies. Ewan Townsend, of the international law firm Arnold & Porter, explains how companies can mitigate issues through negotiating with suppliers and reallocating tariff responsibilities.

‘The Question Is, What’s Going To Happen Next?’ – The Future For Biosimilars In Europe

 
• By 

With European biosimilars developers buoyed by recent regulatory moves, Medicines for Europe’s Isabell Remus and Julie Maréchal-Jamil discuss the next steps forward for the industry.