After failing to get many co-pay waivers in earlier coronavirus relief legislation, the House tries again – with an even bolder ask covering more Americans. The bill would also speed up CDC’s guidance on vaccines and ensure Medicare Part D plans cover all coronavirus treatments. But its not clear whether the Senate will get on board.
COVID-19 drugs and vaccines would be available to most people in the United States without cost-sharing under a new $3 trillion relief package released by the House of Representatives on 12 May.
The Heroes Act, which is slated for a vote in the House as soon as Friday, also provides a pathway for speedy coverage of vaccines by creating tight timelines for review of FDA-approved products by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
Industry will fight hard to prevent other states or the federal government from adopting measures similar to Arkansas' law preventing PBMs from owning pharmacies.
A former CMS official suggested the most likely way it could happen is through a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation demonstration.
BioMarin’s ultra-rare disease drug Brineura has breached cost-effectiveness thresholds for highly specialized treatments in England and looks set to be denied routine funding on the National Health Service.
At the Bank of America health care conference, pharma leaders speculated on the impact of Trump’s most favored nation pricing executive order on US and European markets.
