1. Pink Sheet
  2. >>Market Access

The COVID-19 Effect: Medicare Part B Oncology Drug Claims Down 40% Through April

 
• By Cathy Kelly

Study commissioned by the PhRMA underscores concerns about how the coronavirus has disrupted use of physician-administered drugs.

Infusion of a hospital
Physician Administration Of Infused Drugs Down Sharply

Medicare Part B claims for the top 10 oncology drugs in terms of spending were significantly lower at the end of April compared to the previous year as the COVID-19 pandemic limited patient access to in-person care, according to a recent analysis by Avalere Health.

Avalere looked at billing frequency for branded oncology drugs (including chemotherapies and immune-oncology) with the highest Part B drug spending...

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

China Unveils Multiple Policies To Support Innovative Drugs Throughout Life Cycle

 
• By Xu Hu

China has announced a raft of new measures to encourage innovative drug development across the product life cycle, including using insurance data to differentiate new therapies and applying commercial insurance to selected novel products.

Medicaid Changes Could Have Major Impact on Recent Coverage Improvements

 
• By Tim Casey

Insurance trade groups warned that the Big Beautiful Bill destabilize Medicaid and result in the largest ever roll-back in health care coverage in the US.

England’s NHS Plan Eyes Cancer Vaccine Boost, Single Formulary & ‘Pay For Impact’ Drug Deal

 
• By Eliza Slawther

The creation of a single national formulary for medicines prescribing that could impact industry is among the action points in the UK government’s new 10-year health plan for the National Health Service in England.

Here At Last: Canada’s Long-Contested Guidelines For Curbing Excessive Drug Prices

 
• By Neena Brizmohun

Final guidelines explaining how staff at Canada’s Patented Medicine Prices Review Board should go about identifying drugs that could be considered for an excessive price hearing will come into force soon.

More from Pink Sheet

US FDA Asking Questions About Commissioner’s Voucher Program With Details Scarce

 
• By Derrick Gingery

FDA staff are trying to plan for program implementation in the absence of critical eligibility and other details, although guidance may be coming soon.

Senate Appropriators Give US FDA More Non-User Fee Funds Than House

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

US FDA would receive more funding for fiscal year 2026 in the Senate appropriations bill than its House counterpart, including $10m for unannounced foreign inspections.

EU Medical Countermeasures Strategy Promises More AMR Pull Incentives

 
• By Francesca Bruce

A new EU strategy to ensure access to essential medicines will boost the development of critical medical counter measures, including vaccines and therapies, according to one pharmaceutical industry group.